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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 




KATHARINA VOX BORA. 
From a Portrait by Lucas Kranich. 



Katharine von Bora, 



|r. Itotin grifttfi Witt. 



A PIOTUKE FROM LIFE, 



BY 



ARMIN STEIN. N»^ ,.^_ ^ H 

TRANSLATED BY & A. ENDLICH. 




PHILADELPHIA: 

G. W. FREDERICK, 

1890. 






Copyrighted, 7890, by G. W. Frederick. 



AUTHOR'S PREFACE. 



*WT has been my purpose in " Katharine von Bora," 
(&>*- to picture in the peaceful quiet of his domestic 
happiness, the man whose influence so largely shaped 
the course of public events. 

The undertaking has not been altogether an easy 
one; for, while history flows in a copious stream, 
regarding the Reformer himself, it gives but meager 
information as to the great man's wife, — the humble, 
modest woman, who never thrust herself forward, nor 
sought any personal advantage from her husband's 
greatness, — but remained contentedly in the back- 
ground, glad to do him service, and to enrich her 
own heart from the abundance of his spiritual riches. 
Only occasional fragments give us glimpses of Katha- 
rine's life, and out of these I will endeavor to form 
a completer picture. 

The fact that Luther is so absorbing a personality, 
gives rise to a further difficulty, — the biography of 
Katharine von Bora often insensibly becomes that of 
3 



4 PREFACE. 

Luther himself; and the author pauses to ask himself: 
Am I writing of Katharine, or of Luther ? I can only- 
repeat, that it is my purpose, in this book, to paint 
Luther's domestic life, and therefore Dr. Martin, as 
the head of his household, may fitly play a leading 
part. 

As has already been stated, the historical notices 
regarding Katharine von Bora are very scant. In addi- 
tion to the laborious compilation by Walsh, published 
in refutation of popish calumnies, there are but two 
learned works upon the subject, — Hofman's " Katha- 
rine von Bora; or, Luther as Husband and Father/' 
and a -'Life of Katharine von Bora," by W. Beste; 
besides these, I would mention a concise and popular 
sketch, written by Meurer, the Luther-biographer. 

It has been my endeavor, so to utilize the material 
here gathered, that our people may learn to know the 
wife of its greatest man, — not by name only, but as 
her husband's " helpmeet," in the truest sense of the 
word, as a pattern of domestic virtue, and as a pearl 
among women. 



CONTENTS. 



BOOK FIRST.— THE MAIDEN. 

CHAPTER I. 
A Conspiracy, 9 

CHAPTER II. 
Disappointed Hope, .... 20 

CHAPTER III. 
Dawn, ....... 27 

CHAPTER IV. 
Freedom, ...... 35 

CHAPTER V. 
Sheltered, ...... 44 

CHAPTER VI. 

A Fleeting Fancy, . . . . 58 

CHAPTER VII. 
Katharine in Trouble and Dr. Martin in 

Strife with His Friends, ... 64 

CHAPTER VIII. 
A Sudden Resolve, . . . . . 74 

CHAPTER IX. 

A Day of Rejoicing, 86 

5 



6 CONTENTS. 



BOOK SECOND— THE WIFE. 

CHAPTER X. 
"As Sorrowing, yet always Rejoicing." 95 

CHAPTER XL 
The Faithful Eckart, . . . . 102 

CHAPTER XII. 

A New Life, 112 

CHAPTER XIII. 

"AS DYING, AND, BEHOLD, WE LIVE," . I 24 

CHAPTER XIV. 
Bereaved and Comforted, . . . 138 

CHAPTER XV. 
Alone, 146 

CHAPTER XVI. 
God's Inn, 156 

CHAPTER XVII. 
Peace, 164 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
The Mother and Her Children, . . 180 

CHAPTER XIX. 
Risen from the Dead, . . . . 191 

CHAPTER XX. 
"Lord" Kate. 198 



CONTENTS. 7 

CHAPTER XXI. 
Luther's Last Will, . . . . 207 

CHAPTER XXII. 
Little Lena, 212 

CHAPTER XXIII. 
Once more in Zulsdorf, . . . . 222 

CHAPTER XXIV. 
Parting, 28 



BOOK THIRD— THE WIDOW. 

CHAPTER XXV. 
Alone, 239 

CHAPTER XXVI. 
War, 249 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

More Trouble, 265 

• CHAPTER XXVIII. 
Glimpses of Sunshine, . . . . 272 

CHAPTER XXIX. 
Release, 285 



KATHAEINE VOl* BOEA; 



CHAPTER I. 

A CONSPIRACY. 

It was the evening of a clear, warm March day. 
The sun, sinking behind the distant hills, sent its part- 
ing rays over the earth, tinting hills and valleys, for- 
ests and meadows, with golden light. The evening 
mist was rising, and covering with a filmy veil the 
tender spring flowers — the snow-drops and violets — 
from the chilly night air. The windows in the west- 
ern wing of the convent of Nimptschen shone with a 
ruddy glow; and the face of the young nun, who 
stood by an open casement, seemed transfigured by 
the strange light, while the tears in her eyes quivered 
like drops of liquid gold. With longing sadness, her 
glance rested upon the landscape ; upon the peasants, 
returning to their homes, after the day's work; and 
upon the children, playing their merry games on the 
village green. The young nun was of pleasing, grace- 

(9) 



io KATHARINE VON BORA; 

ful figure. Her features were too irregular to be strict- 
ly beautiful, and the pallor of her skin made her ap- 
pear older than she was. But her face possessed the 
rare charm of sympathy. Clear, thoughtful eyes and 
delicately curved lips betrayed a deep, rich inner life, 
and a sensitive heart ; while the firmly rounded chin 
bespoke self-respect and decision of character. An 
expression of gentle dignity lay upon the arched fore- 
head. There was in her manner a certain highbred 
nobility, the stamp of true womanliness, and her 
movements were full of grace. 

Her cell was narrow and gloomy ; yet the skillful 
hands of its occupant had so disposed the scanty fur- 
niture, and the saints' pictures upon the walls, adding 
here and there little touches of color, that the room 
had lost its bare appearance. The abbess herself was 
fond of visiting this cell, and often said: "I cannot 
understand, Sister Katharine, why your cell is so home- 
like. One feels here, that it is far pleasanter to come, 
than to go." 

As the nun stood by the window, her tearful eyes 
rested upon the calm beauty of the early Springtime, 
while her mind was lost in gloomy reveries. At her 
feet lay a piece of costly violet-colored velvet, which 
had dropped from her hands, and upon the window 
ledge were tangled masses of white and yellow silk. 



THE MAIDEN. II 

Rousing herself from her dreams, she hastily gathered 
up the velvet, sat down upon a stool, and resumed her 
embroidery. It was an altar-cloth for the convent- 
church. The design was, two palm branches crossed, 
and above, the legend "Ave Maria." The words were 
already finished \ but the branches were merely out- 
lined in coarse stitches. Her slender fingers moved 
wearily over the velvet, and her head bent low over 
her work, for the last scant rays of daylight were fall- 
ing into the cell. 

Suddenly, the heavy, iron-mounted door was open- 
ed, and a younger nun appeared. "What is this, 
Sister Katharine ?" she exclaimed, in surprise. " Still 
at your work? Pray spare your eyes! But," she 
continued, coming nearer, " why are you so far be- 
hindhand ? What will the abbess say ? To-morrow, 
at High Mass, the altar was to wear its new drape- 
ries." 

Katharine looked up with a dreary smile. "lam 
angry with my own heart, because it is so reluctant to 
obey the commands of our Superior. My needle 
moves slowly ; and what was once a pleasure, has be- 
come a burden. O Sister Elizabeth, a change has 
come over my soul, since the voice of the Monk of 
Wittenberg penetrated these walls !" 

Elizabeth glanced anxiously toward the door. 



KATHARINE VON BORA; 



" Speak softly, Sister Katharine, these walls have 
ears. ' ' She pushed the bolt, and drawing a stool be- 
side Katharine, she sat down, saying gently : " Light 
the lamp, Sister, I will help you." 

" How kind you are, dear Elizabeth,' ' exclaimed 
Katharine, with a grateful smile. " But let us wait — 
it is time for vespers. ' ' 

As she spoke, the little bell was heard, summoning 
the nuns to evening prayers. Then followed the mea- 
gre supper in the refectory. 

Both nuns were of noble lineage, for the Cistercian 
Convent Marienthron at Nimptschen received no oth- 
ers. The younger one was Elizabeth von Kanitz, 
who had taken the veil but a year and a half ago. 
Her fresh, rose-tinted skin had not yet been blanched 
by the cellar-like atmosphere of the convent, nor her 
cheerful spirit crushed by the oppressive discipline of 
the order. Her ingenuous, childlike disposition had 
won the love of the Sisters, and even the venerable 
abbess had been seen to smile at her merry sallies, 
Her friend was a descendant of the distinguished 
family Von Bora, richer in noble ancestors than in 
worldly goods. She was an orphan, and knew but 
one member of her family to be living, her brother, 
Hans von Bora. She had reached her twenty-fourth 
year, and had been in the convent since her child- 



THE MAIDEN. 13 



hood, having taken the final vows at the age of fifteen. 

An hour later, we find them again in Katharine's 
cell. The copper lamp was lighted, and they sat 
down together, to finish the embroidery which was to 
be used at the celebration on the morrow. 

" How swiftly your finger fly, dear Elizabeth," said 
Katharine, " and how contentedly your eyes rest upon 
your work. You happy child ! Life is all a fair May- 
day to you ! Doubts and temptations are all unknown 
to you. You are satisfied within these gloomy walls, 
and to your childlike faith they seem to lead straight 
to heaven. I, too, was once happy and contented 
here, although I grieved sorely at leaving my father's 
house. Ah, it is hard, to part forever from all that is 
dear to us, and to hear the convent gates close behind 
us, like the lid of a coffin ; to be dead to the outer 
world ; never again to receive the kiss of love, or the 
greeting of friendship. But seeing that it must needs 
be, — for my parents, with their small means, could not 
provide a suitable refuge for their daughter, I over- 
came my sorrow, and with confident hope knocked at 
these doors, of which I was told that they were the 
doors of Heaven. And truly, it seemed as though a 
breath from Heaven greeted me, as I crossed the 
threshold. To be sheltered from the temptations of 
an evil world, and from the cares of this life ; to 



14 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

be surrounded by the odor of incense, and the sound 
of holy music ; to be guided at every step by spiritual 
counsel ; to be able to labor unceasingly for the wel- 
fare of my soul, and fix my thoughts upon the life to 
come, — all this persuaded me that I had entered the 
courts of Heaven, and I remembered my parents daily, 
with hearty thanks for their kindness in bringing me 
hither. Now, I see it all in a different light. This 
gloomy house, which I regarded as the abode of true 
life, is a grave, in which I am buried alive. The monk 
of Wittenberg has opened my eyes, and I see that all 
my pious exercises are but an idle, fruitless endeavor. 
Luther's words have startled me out of my dreams. 
But he is right, it was but a dream, an imaginary 
sanctity. My heart bears me witness to the truth of 
his teaching ; for God's peace, which I hoped to win 
through my devotions and good works, — that I have 
never found. I was taught that only in the convent, 
true piety had its abiding place. I have learned this 
to be false, and I am certain that those who live in 
the world can serve God and be saved, as well as we. 
Yes, if we who enter here, could leave behind us our 
sinful heart ! But that goes with us, and prepares us 
trials, of which the world does not dream. It would 
seem as though here everything were calculated to 
lift the soul above earthly things, and to fill it with 



THE MAIDEN. 15 

the strength of heavenly life, but in reality, the dreary 
monotony merely deadens the spirit. Beyond these 
walls, life shines in bright and happy colors, but here 
all is gray. There, men rejoice in the lovely Spring- 
time ; they watch for the Summer, which causes the 
budding germs to flower; they greet the Autumn, 
with its ripening fruits; and again, when Winter 
comes, the weary body hails the rest it brings. Here, 
we scarcely know when the violets are blooming, or 
when the grapes are gathered, or when the snow is 
falling. All seasons, all days are alike in this dull 
life, if indeed it can be called a life. There, men go 
forth each morning to their day's work, and it is a 
pleasure to them, a blessing both to body and soul. 
Their food gives them strength, and their sleep re- 
freshes them. But our souls and bodies are weakened 
by this pious idleness. If our convent were in a city, 
where we could nurse the sick, clothe the naked, com- 
fort the sorrowing, that would fill the void in our life, 
and vary its monotony. Ah, Sister Elizabeth, I fear 
I cannot longer endure the conflict. My strength is 
failing me, and I feel the blood coursing more and 
more languidly through my veins. ' ' 

She hid her face in her hands. A deep silence suc- 
ceeded, which Elizabeth did not venture to break. 
Her tender heart was filled with pity at the sight of 



1 6 KA THARINE VON BORA ; 

Katharine's misery. She had listened with deep in- 
terest, her glowing eyes fixed upon her friend's lips. 
Strange feelings were awakend within her. Now she 
rose in great agitation, and grasped Katharine's hand. 

"Sister, has God bidden you speak thus to me? 
Your words have torn the veil from my eyes, and 
roused thoughts which hitherto slumbered in my soul. 
You think me happy, Katharine, and you are right, 
for God has given me a cheerful heart. But yet I am 
not the trusting child, that accepts with unquestioning 
confidence the ordinances of the Church, and the 
rules of our order. Do you suppose that Luther's 
words have failed to touch me? Since I read his 
book on * Monastic Vows ' and on the ' Babylonian 
Captivity,' a thorn has entered my conscience, which 
torments and terrifies me. My mind is not clear, like 
yours, to discern the needs of my soul ; my trouble 
has been undefined. But you have put it into words. 
Now I know what I want, and I am indeed unhappy." 

She threw herself upon Katharine's neck and wept 
aloud. Katharine loosened the clinging arms, and 
wringing her hands in distress, she exclaimed : " Woe 
is me ! What have I done ! Oh, that I had kept 
silence, and borne my sorrow alone ! ' ' 

Elizabeth dried her tears, and said, with a gentle 
caress : " Do not grieve, dear Katharine. It is in- 



THE MAIDEN. 17 



deed painful to have one's eyes opened by force. But 
is it not better to know the truth, than to continue in 
error?" 

After a long and scrutinizing look into her friend's 
face, Katharine suddenly leaned forward, so that her 
lips touched Elizabeth's ear. " Elizabeth, you do not 
know all my trouble. ' ' 

The young nun's eyes anxiously questioned hers. 
She continued: " You will not betray me. Elizabeth? 
I have a secret, — I and seven others." 

" Trust me," said Elizabeth. 

Katharine drew still nearer and whispered : " Do 
you know what has happened at Grimma ?' ' 

Elizabeth nodded. " How should I not know? 
The Gospel has been preached there openly, since 
Luther proclaimed the truth from the pulpit of the 
town church." 

"It is not that I mean," Katharine shook her head. 
"We have received tidings, that in the past week 
the monastery of the Holy Cross was deserted by 
its monks." 

Elizabeth started. "What do you say? It is not 
possible !" 

Katharine continued quietly: "These are wonder- 
ful times. All signs point to the beginning of a new 
life. Not at Grimma only, but elsewhere also, the 
2 



1 8 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

cloisters have opened their gates, after Luther had 
uttered his Hephatha. Sister Elizabeth, — if our gates 
were opened, — would you go, or stay ?' ' 

A deep crimson dyed Elizabeth's face, and a shiver 
ran through her body. " Sister, I believe I should go. 
But," she added drearily, "who will open them? 
You know how bitterly the abbess hates Luther, and 
how she rails against him. ' ' 

A shadow fell upon Katharine's face, and a heavy 
sigh rose from her breast. "That is my sorrow also. 
But perhaps the abbess may be forced to yield, wheth- 
er she will or not. ' ' 

"I do not understand you," said Elizabeth, in 
alarm. 

Again Katharine leaned over and whispered : — 
" Eight of the Sisters have entered upon a secret 
compact. They have written letters to their parents 
and kinsfolk, imploring them, for God's sake, to pity 
their condition, and release them from their imprison- 
ment. They say that since they have learned, mo- 
nastic vows to be opposed to the teachings of Holy 
Scripture, they should imperil their souls, by continu- 
ing to strive after an imaginary sanctity." 

Elizabeth's eyes were opened wide. She clutched 
Katharine's arm and asked eagerly: " Who are they, 
— these eight?" 



THE MAIDEN. 19 



Katharine answered: "They are Magdalene von 
Staupitz, Veronica and Margaret von Zeschau, Laneta 
von Gohlis, Eva von Gross, Eva and Margaret von 
Schoenfeld, — I am the eighth.' ' 

"Let me be the ninth," pleaded Elizabeth. "If 
you go, I cannot stay." 

For a moment Katharine's eyes scanned the young 
nun's face, then she said earnestly : " Dear Elizabeth, 
we will gladly let you share our secret ; but be careful, 
lest you arouse suspicion. Your tongue is quick, and 
your eyes tell tales." 

A sudden flush overspread Elizabeth's face. " Do 
not fear, dear Katharine. You shall learn that I can 
keep silence. ' ' 

Far into the night the nuns sat plying their needles 
and talking over their plans, until at midnight the lit- 
tle bell again called them to their devotions. 



CHAPTER II. 

DISAPPOINTED HOPES. 

Again it was evening, some weeks later, when seven 
nuns sat together in the cell of Magdalene von Stau- 
pitz. They were very sad, for the hopes, which they 
had built on the kindness and mercy of their parents 
and kinspeople, had been miserably disappointed. 
Magdalene von Staupitz had indeed received from her 
brother, the Vicar-General of the Augustinian order, 
a warm and sympathizing letter ; and Katharine had 
just read aloud another from her brother Hans, full 
of tender, brotherly love ; but both urged their sisters 
not to leave the convent. Monks, they argued, might 
safely take such a step, being able to work with their 
hands for their bread. But how would they, poor, 
helpless nuns, fare in the world ? Their second state 
would be worse than their first. 

The other nuns were even more cast down. Their 
parents had replied with threats and reproaches, and 
they were so utterly crushed, that it was difficult to 
console them. Presently, Laneta von Gohlis joined 
their number, with drooping head and sorrowful eyes. 

(20) 



THE MAIDEN. 21 



Silently she sat down, and the eyes of all sought the 
face of Magdalene von Staupitz, who was older than 
the rest, and whose opinion was accepted with the ut- 
most confidence. She had bidden the sisters to her 
cell, to take counsel with them as to their further 
course. 

Magdalene rose. She was a tall, dignified woman, 
with a thoughtful face, and a calm manner. 

"Our first hope has been put to naught, dear Sis- 
ters," she began, in her rich full voice, "and it is a 
bitter lot, to be forsaken by those whom nature has 
appointed to be our helpers. They bid us remain. 
But shall we obey men, rather than God, whose call 
has come to us through the word of His prophet ? 
Our awakened conscience will not suffer us to contin- 
ue in a place to which our heart has become a stran- 
ger ; for all our obedience to the rules and exercises 
of the order is but hypocrisy. ' ' 

Katharine von Bora replied, with quivering lips : 
" My spirit grieves at the thought of ending my days 
in this dreary place — dead, while yet I am living. 
But what can we do ?' ' 

"Listen to me, sisters — I will tell you my plan," 
she continued, "since it was Luther, who brought 
God's Word to us, he is the man to whom we must 
direct our cry for help— that he may lay it before 
the throne of God. ' ' 



22 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

" Magdalene/ ' cried Katharine, "how dare we? 
Should such as we burden the great man with our trou- 
bles ? Has he not far greater and weightier cares rest- 
ing upon him?" 

Magdalene shook her head. " Do not oppose me, 
Katharine. Through my brother I have gained more 
accurate knowledge of the Monk of Wittenberg ; and 
from what I have heard, we will not do amiss in turn- 
ing to him. His giant spirit does not ask whether 
persons are of high or low degree ; his ears and his 
heart are open to the needs of the least. Many of the 
monks, who left their monasteries, have been taken 
under his protection, and his energetic intercession 
has secured them a livelihood. Should he not take 
pity on us, defenceless nuns ? ' ' 

Eva von Schoenfeld eagerly grasped Magdalene's 
hand. 

" Sister, your advice is good, and new hope has en- 
tered my heart. I am sure that Luther will help us. 
I have absolute faith in him." 

A breath of excitement seemed to stir these troubled 
women. Luther's name revived and strengthened 
their failing courage, and they crowded around Sister 
Magdalene, thanking her for her happy, saving thought. 

"But how shall Luther hear from us?" asked Eva 
von Schoenfeld, when the sudden enthusiasm had giv- 
en place to calm reflection. 



THE MAIDEN. 23 



"That is the least of our difficulties/' replied Mag- 
dalene. " Klaus, the gardener, will do the errand for 
me with pleasure. He has long been waiting for an 
opportunity to show his gratitude for the help I gave 
him, when the poisonous insect stung his hand." 

Then the door was hastily flung open, and pale as 
death, Elizabeth von Kanitz rushed into the room. 

" All is lost !" she cried, wringing her hands. " My 
father has come, and in the presence of the abbess, 
with many reproaches, gave me his answer to my let- 
ter. Our secret is betrayed, and I, unhappy girl, have 
been the cause ! ' ' 

Burying her face in her hands, she sank upon a 
stool. The others, speechless, and paralyzed with ter- 
ror, surrounded her. 

Magdaline von Staupitz was the first to recover her- 
self. 

" Sisters," she pleaded, " do not lose heart ! They 
will make haste to separate and punish us ! We will 
therefore use the few moments that are left us, and 
promise each other to abide by our purpose. Now, 
more than ever, Luther is our only hope. Leave it to 
me — I will send a messenger to him ! ' ' 

The nuns had scarcely expressed their assent, when 
a shuffling step was heard approaching, and presently 
the abbess stood before the trembling Sisters. 



24 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

The old woman's face, ordinarily of an ashen hue, 
had assumed a greenish tint, which was an indication 
of the deepest anger. Quivering with rage, she strug- 
gled to overcome her agitation sufficiently, to give ut- 
terance to her feelings. For some moments her lips 
were unable to frame the words, and in anxious silence 
the nuns, with hands crossed, and heads bowed, stood 
like criminals, awaiting their doom. Finally, broken 
sentences fell from the sanctified lips : 

" Oh, that my old eyes should witness such shame ! 
What have you done, you children of Satan ? If you 
stood before me- — as fallen Magdalens — as murderesses 
— from my heart I could pity you. But my soul re- 
volts at your crime, and the sharpest scourge is too 
gentle for such as you. Only the day before yester- 
day, in proud joy, I reported to the General of the 
order — the convent of Marienthron is an undefiled 
sanctuary, and proof against heresy. Now — I am 
made a liar, my pride is humbled, my glory put to 
shame ! Holy Mother of God, hide thy face from this 
iniquity, nor, because of the sin of these nine, do thou 
punish the whole of this consecrated house. Their 
crime shall be visited with heavy punishment, that the 
stain may be wiped away ! But you — you — you — why 
do you stand ? On your knees with you ! Into the 
dust!" 



THE MAIDEN. 25 



The nuns fell upon their knees, and silently kissed 
the withered hand of the abbess, in gratitude for the 
promised punishment — for the convent discipline had 
taught them to receive punishment as a benefaction. 

Af the evening meal, and on the day following, 
there were nine vacant places in the refectory. The 
penitents were locked in their cells, on bread and wa- 
ter ; and in the fervor of her holy zeal, the abbess un- 
dertook the task of listening at the doors, to make 
sure that the prisoners recited the prescribed number 
of prayers. On the fourth day the unhappy nuns were 
released, but only to be subjected to the deepest hu- 
miliation. During the celebration of the Mass, they 
sat apart from the others, upon the penitent's bench, 
and while the priest intoned the penitential litany, they 
were obliged to creep upon their knees to the steps of 
the altar, striking their breasts with their hands, until 
the cleansing virtue of holy water and the fumes of in- 
cense had dispelled the odor of heresy. The abbess, 
after they had kissed her feet, then pronounced the 
formula of absolution, by which they were again re- 
ceived into the fellowship of the children of God. 
But it was her lips only, that spoke the words — her 
eyes expressed unappeased hatred, which imparted 
itself to the other nuns, and made the convent more 
than ever a hell on earth to the unfortunate heretics. 



26 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

They were passed by without a glance or a word, and 
treated as though they had forfeited the right of dwell- 
ing in this sacred spot. They were outlawed, and the 
bitter need of their hearts, teaching them the insuffi- 
ciency of prayers learned by rote, constrained them 
to cast themselves personally before the throne of 
grace, and like Jacob of old, to wrestle with the Lord 
in fervent prayer. 



" Where is Klaus ?" asked the abbess of the lay bro- 
ther, who was busy with his spade among the vegeta- 
ble beds of the convent garden. 

Slowly lifting his head, the brother answered : " He 
went away to buy seeds. ' ' 

"Where?" 

" He did not tell me — probably to Erfurt." 



CHAPTER III. 

DAWN. 

In a corner house on the market place of Torgau, 
the merchant Leonhard Koppe, sat at the window of 
his comfortable room. He was a man past fifty, with 
a shrewd, kindly face. His head rested on his hand, 
and his eyes wandered vaguely in the distance. From 
time to time he moved uneasily in his chair, and passed 
his hand across his forehead. He seemed to be pon- 
dering some weighty matter. His wife, Susanna, had 
questioned him repeatedly as to his ill humor ; but 
either he answered her curtly, or not at all ; until she 
went away, highly displeased. 

Suddenly the merchant rapped at the window, and 
beckoned eagerly to some one below. A few mo- 
ments later, a thin, elderly man entered the room. 
It was the chandler, Master Wolfgang Tommitzsch, 
whom Leonhard cordially welcomed. 

"It was a lucky moment for me, my good neigh- 
bor, when you passed my house. You are a man of 
wise counsel, of which I am sorely in need ; therefore 
I beckoned you to come uptome." 

"Say on," replied Master Wolfgang, without mov- 
ing a muscle of his face. (27) 



28 KATHARINE VON BORA 

Leonhard loosened his doublet, and prepared to tell 
his trouble. "Yesterday I returned from Wittenberg, 
whither I had gone on a matter of business. I also 
heard our dear Dr. Luther preach in the church of 
St. Mary's — his words still ring in my ears. After- 
wards I met Luther, as he was returning from the 
church. He suddenly caught me by the sleeve, and 
said : ' Ah, is it you, my dear Koppe ? My thoughts 
were with you this very moment — and here I see you 
actually before me, as though you had dropped from 
heaven. This, it seems to me, is of God's ordering, 
and is a sign to me, that you are the man to carry out 
the business which weighs upon my mind. You are 
acquainted in the convent of Nimptschen ?' When I 
told him that I supplied the order with cloth and wax, 
he continued: 'Listen to me. In the convent are 
nine noble maidens who are weary of their nunnery > 
but do not know how to obtain their liberty. In their 
need, after they had in vain petitioned their kinsfolk, 
they turned to me for help — which I would gladly 
give, but that my arm is too short to reach from Wit- 
tenberg to Nimptschen. Neither could I go thither 
myself and liberate the poor captives, either secretly 
or by force. Therefore I have need of a man who 
will lend me his arm, and I ask you, Master Koppe, 
to do it, for the love of God. You know the road, 



THE MAIDEN. 29 



and have a clear head to devise ways and means, and 
a good Christian heart that can pity the misery of 
others. Will you undertake this matter?' And I 
said yes, — for who can resist the magic of Luther's 
wonderful lightning eyes, and the pleading of his 
voice ? I was proud indeed that he stood and talked 
with me thus publicly — the great man, who fears neith- 
er pope nor devil. 

"But when he had gone, I felt hot and cold, for I 
perceived that I had built a tower without reckoning 
the cost. I pondered the matter on my homeward 
journey, and here I still sit and torment myself. The 
closer I look at it, the more ticklish it appears. How 
shall I disclose my plan to the nuns, without arousing 
the suspicions of the abbess? Notwithstanding her 
seventy years, she has the eyes of a lynx, and the 
scent of a fox. Even if I should succeed in approach- 
ing them unperceived, how will it be possible to get 
them away? If it were one, or even two, it might 
be done — but a whole wagon full ! And when they 
are safely out of the convent, we must still pass 
through the territory of Duke George ; and that is a 
dangerous journey, inasmuch as the Duke hates Luth- 
er more than he hates the Devil himself. Dear friend, 
what say you?'* 

Tommitzsch half closed his eyes and nodded re- 



30 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

flectively. After a moment's thought, he looked up 
and said : " The distress of these nuns touches my 
heart. Only lately I witnessed the joy of my sister's 
child, who escaped from the convent at Wurzen. Such 
may be the joy of a person who rises from his grave ; 
and methinks it is a good work, and well pleasing to 
God, to help a human being from death to life. I 
pity the nuns at Nimptschen, although they are stran- 
gers to me ; and if Dr. Martin desires it, how can we 
hesitate? Therefore, neighbor, make the venture, 
and I will give you my help." 

" For which you have my hearty thanks," cried the 
merchant, wringing his friend's hand. "If you de- 
vise the plan, it will surely succeed." 

The chandler answered calmly : " It is a good work 
— and God will aid us. When do you carry the next 
load of goods to the convent?" 

" The order may come at any hour, for Easter is 
near at hand," replied Master Leonhard. " What do 
you mean?" 

Tommitzsch returned : "It must be an easy matter 
to deliver a letter secretly to one of the nuns." 

The merchant listened attentively, and after a little 
more conversation, the chandler left the house. 

On the following morning, a heavy, canvas-covered 
wagon rumbled along the road from Torgau to Grim- 



THE MAIDEN. 



ma, and, on the evening of the same day, halted at 
the gates of the convent Marienthron at Nimptschen, 
about the time when the nuns were walking in the gar- 
den, after their evening meal. 

Such an arrival from the busy world was an import- 
ant event amid the monotony of convent life, espe- 
cially when it was Master Leonhard Koppe from Tor- 
gau — the pleasant, talkative man, who brought an 
abundance of news, and related such merry tales. 
For strange to say, these brides of heaven greatly rel- 
ished an earthly jest. 

As usual, he was soon surrounded by the nuns, and 
amid much cheerful talk unpacked his wares. But his 
eyes seemed to be seeking some one ; he was absent- 
minded, and failed to answer their questions. When 
at last Magdalene von Staupitz, coming in from the 
garden, approached the group, he grew taciturn, and 
gave them to understand he was not in the mood for 
conversation. 

As Magdalene came nearer, a quick glance from 
the merchant's eyes met hers. She turned away, to 
hide the flush which rose to her face ; and, returning 
to the garden, concealed herself behind an alder- 
bush near the entrance, from whence she could over- 
look the court. 

After the nuns had dispersed, she again drew near, 



32 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

and sought to find in the merchant's face an explana- 
tion of his look. Hidden from the convent by his 
great wagon, he hastily gave her a letter, saying : 
"Read it. At the appointed time I shall be at hand." 
He then climbed into the wagon, to prepare himself 
a resting place for the night, and the nun disappeared 
among the shadows. ■ 



" What ails you, Sister Magdalene ?" questioned the 
abbess, later in the evening. "Are you ill? Your 
face is pale, and the rosary trembles in your hands. ' ' 

Magdalene cast down her eyes, and answered softly : 
" I feel as though a fever were shaking me. My pray- 
ers wearied me, and my head is dull and confused.' ' 

"Then see to it that some tea is made for you," 
said the abbess. 

Obediently, the nun left the presence of the dread- 
ed superior, hastily swallowed the nauseous drink, and 
sought her cell to escape the torture of further ques- 
tioning. She found Katharine von Bora awaiting her. 

"Tell me, sister/' exclaimed Katharine, "what has 
happened ? My heart beats with fear, but I dared not 
ask you in the presence of the others." 

With a sigh of relief, Magdalene bolted her door, 
then sank trembling into Katharine's arms. " Katha- 



THE MAIDEN. 33 



rine, dear Katharine, the day dawns, — the day of free- 
dom ! Luther — Luther — O thou prophet of the Most 
High, thou deliverer of the German people, thou wilt 
prove our good angel also !" 

Katharine shivered within Magdalene's encircling 
arms. 

" Do not speak in riddles, sister," she cried. "Re- 
lieve me from this suspense." 

Magdalene drew a slip of paper from her bosom. 
" See here; the answer to our petition to Dr. Martin. 
Leonhard Koppe, the merchant, gave it to me se- 
cretly. It is difficult to decipher, for Master Koppe' s 
hand is not skilled in writing. Listen to what he 
says : i Dr. Martin greets the nine Sisters, and through 
me, Leonhard Koppe, the merchant of Torgau, will 
restore them to liberty. Therefore, hold yourselves 
in readiness. In the night before Easter, on the 
fourth of April, at the hour of ten, I will be under 
Katharine von Bora's window, from whence escape is 
easiest. Do what is needful to keep the secret, and 
may the Almighty have mercy on you !' " 

Katharine would have cried out for joy, but Magda- 
lene's hand sealed her lips. " Restrain yourself, sis- 
ter. If God is preparing a path of escape for us, our 
own imprudence must not throw obstacles in the way. 
Consider, — our salvation or ruin lies in our own hands. 
3 



34 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

Woe be to us, if we betray ourselves and our deliv- 
erers. ' ' 

"What did you say?" interrupted Katharine, ex- 
citedly. "In the night before Easter? God pity 
us ! Is not that, of all times, the most unsuitable ?' ' 

"You mean because of the vigil?" asked Magda- 
lene, reflecting. Then after another glance at the 
letter, her eyes beamed afresh. "No, — that very 
night will be the most favorable to our plans. The 
vigil begins at midnight, and on that evening we re- 
tire earlier than usual to get a few hours of sleep. 
Here I read, that the merchant from Torgau will wait 
for us at the hour of ten. Is not that wisely planned? 
Oh, my spirit rises with new courage, kindled by hope, 
and my last doubts are silenced." 

Overcome by her feelings, Magdalene fell upon her 
knees, and from the depths of her heart came her 
thanksgiving : ' i Thou Lord of my life, Thou God of 
rny salvation, I thank Thee, that Thou hast guided a 
heart to accomplish our deliverance. I put my trust 
in Thee, Who wilt surely finish the work Thou hast 
begun, for Thy Name's sake. Amen." 



CHAPTER IV. 

FREEDOM. 

It was Easter Eve in the year 1523. After the sol- 
emn hush of Good Friday, a bustling activity stirred 
the little community. *The work was done in silence, 
it is true, for the day on which the body of our Lord 
lay in the sepulchre, demanded quiet and reverence ; 
but all hands were busy with preparations worthy of 
the highest festival of the Christian Church. Groups 
of nuns were binding wreaths of moss and cedar- 
branches, with which to deck the images of the Saints 
and the life-size statue of the blessed Virgin, which 
occupied the most prominent place in the chapel. 
Others were engaged about the altar, which on Good 
Friday had been stripped of all ornament. They 
covered it with a cloth of white silk embroidered in 
gold, and supplied the candlesticks with fresh tapers, 
which Leonhard Koppe had lately provided. Others 
were building up in the altar recess a representation 
of the Resurrection, — the grave, surrounded by the 
prostrate watchers, and the Saviour issuing from its 
portal, bearing aloft the banner of victory. 

(35) 



3 6 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

The forenoon passed amid these preparations. 

The mid-day meal was eaten in silence, for the strict 
fast permitted but scanty refreshment. During the 
afternoon the convent was silent as the grave. The 
nuns, weary in body and mind from the exertions of 
Holy Week, rested in their cells. Since Palm Sun- 
day, they had spent but few hours in their beds, having 
been engaged day and night in praying, fasting, sing- 
ing, confessing and hearing mass. Many may there- 
fore have rejoiced in the blessed Easter day, — not 
only because our Lord was risen from the dead for the 
saving of the world, but also because the tired and 
enfeebled body might once more assert its rights, and 
the soul awaken from its spiritual weariness to a new 
life. 

Slowly the twilight fell upon the earth. Once more 
the bell called to prayers, and the stewardess sum- 
moned the nuns to the thin, gray, Lenten soup. Then 
the last sound died away in the convent. The tired 
devotees stretched their aching limbs upon their beds, 
to find in slumber a little strength for the last effort, 
— the Easter vigil, — that night service, which with 
mysterious premonition leads the soul upward, step by 
step, to the supreme moment, when the first ray of 
the rising sun startles the soft murmurs into jubilant 
praise, and from the full choir, accompanied by trum- 



THE MAIDEN. 37 



pets and cymbals, the Easter hymn bursts forth : 

" Christ the Lord is risen 
From His martyr prison, 
Let us all rejoice in this, 
Christ our joy and solace is. 
Kyrie eleison." 

The night was damp and cold. A bitter wind drove 
the ragged clouds across the face of the moon, whose 
pale beams threw ghostly shadows upon the earth. In 
the forest the trees groaned and creaked, their branch- 
es tossed by the gale. 

A great wagon, loaded with barrels, moved slowly 
along the road leading from Torgau. When the 
clouds did not hide the moon, three muffled figures, 
sitting immovable upon the wagon, became visible. 

Near the convent they left the highway. One of 
the men sprang down and took the horses by the 
bridle. 

" Do you know the road, neighbor ?" came a whis- 
per from within. 

"Have no fear," was the answer. "I know every 

path. Follow me, until we reach the water. There 

we will leave the wagon among the alders. You, 

Caspar, stay with the horses and care for them." 

Caspar was Leonhard's nephew. When they reached 



38 KATHARINE VON BORA 

the pond they stopped. Caspar fed and watered the 
horses, while the others carefully groped their way 
through the bushes, Koppe taking his friend's hand, 
to help him because of his uncertain eyesight, and 
because the pale rays of the moon, which flickered 
through the trees, threw but scant light upon their 
path. 

" Do you see yonder garden wall?" whispered 
Koppe. "I will creep on it to the spot, where it 
meets the building. There, where the light is shining, 
is Katharine von Bora's cell. I am glad to see that 
all the other windows are dark. My supposition was 
correct, — the nuns are sleeping until midnight. But 
it is not yet ten o'clock. Let us see if all is safe. 
The abbess is still awake," he grumbled, when they 
had reached the eastern front of the convent. "The 
venerable ghost has no peace, and often startles the 
nuns by her sudden appearances. She is a strange 
woman, and in her dealings with me, has given me 
much trouble by her suspicion and avarice. In her 
own eyes she is a saint, whose good works are so many 
that they reach up into Heaven, like the tower of 
Babel. Therefore she has much confidence and cour- 
age, and fears nothing, save the screech-owl, whose cry 
so grates upon her nerves, that in the Springtime she 
pays a golden florin for every owl's egg that is brought 
her." 



THE MAIDEN. 39 



Tommitzsch murmured something that sounded like 
a succession of maledictions. Suddenly he stopped, 
and seized his friend by the arm. 

a Iam not going any further with you." 

"Why not?" asked Koppe, in dismay. 

Tommitzsch replied in his imperturbable manner : 
"You can forego my help in your kidnapping busi- 
ness. I can imitate the cry of the screech-owl/' he 
explained, "as well as that of the hawk and the cat. 
When the time has come, I will be the bird that turns 
her bravery into fear. In the meantime, you do your 
work. ' ' 

".Truly, you are a wise counsellor/' said Koppe, 
tapping his friend on the shoulder. " I am glad that 
I sought your assistance. It wants but a few minutes 
to ten." 

The men grasped each other by the hand, each with 
hearty good wishes for the success of the other. 

With redoubled caution, Koppe stole along the wall, 
until he reached a spot where a few crumbling stones 
gave him a foothold. Here he climbed up, and softly 
crept along the top. Suddenly, a sharp cry, piercing 
the silence, reached his ear. He started in alarm, but 
soon smiled at his fears. 

"The screech-owl," he said to himself. The cry 
was repeated at intervals, and in the meantime, Koppe 



40 KATHARINE VON BORA; 



had reached the lighted window. He rose to his feet, 
— but alas ! it was beyond the reach of his outstretched 
hand. He had been deceived in the height. How 
was he to make himself heard ? Calling was out of 
the question. And how would they descend? He 
struck with his fist upon the wall, but the sound of 
his blows died away against the solid masonry. Then 
he bethought him of a key which he carried in his 
pocket. With this he tapped, and it rang clear against 
the stones. 

Hark ! They are moving overhead. The window 
is softly opened and a head is thrust out. 

"Your rescuer is here !" he whispered, and the an- 
swer came back, " God be praised I" 

The head was withdrawn, soon to re-appear, and 
Koppe heard the words: "Wait, until we fasten the 
rope to the casement." 

The complaint he was about to utter, died upon his 
lips. Woman's wit had planned with better fore- 
thought, than manly wisdom. In less than a minute 
the end of the rope struck his head, — another minute, 
and the first nun stood beside him. 

"Creep carefully forward,' ' he directed the trem- 
bling girl, "I will receive the others." 

Again the screech-owl shrieked. No other sound 
was heard, save the creaking of the branches in the 



THE MAIDEN. 4* 



wind. In wild haste the nuns slipped down, and crept 
along the wall. Koppe followed. When they came 
to the breach, he sprang down and assisted them to 
ascend. A suppressed cry of delight was heard, but 
Koppe angrily checked the guilty one. 

" The time for rejoicing has not yet come ! Make 
hasie, and follow !" 

The wagon was soon reached, and the merchant 
hid the nuns between the barrels, covering them with 
straw, until not a sign of them was visible. Then he 
hastened to relieve his companion from his post. 
They climbed into the wagon, and the horses were 
urged forward. 

Dark and shadowy, like a gigantic sarcophagus, the 
convent lay behind them. Not a light gleamed from 
the windows, even that of the abbess being dark. The 
effect of the screech-owl's voice had not been miscal- 
culated, and the old woman had doubtless sought ref- 
uge beneath her covers from the gruesome cries of the 
bird of death. 

The nuns crouched motionless in their hiding place 
— afraid to utter a sound. Like a mill-stone the re- 
action from the past dangers, and the fear of new 
ones weighed upon their spirits. Thus they journeyed 
for more than an hour. Suddenly the wagon stopped, 
and a harsh voice called to the driver: "What have 
you here ?' ' 



42 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

"Herring barrels," was Koppe's short and decided 
answer. " Do not detain me unnecessarily, friend — 
my limbs are stiff with the cold. ' ' 

The man climbed up at the side of the wagon, and 
gropingly examined its contents. 

"Pass on!" he cried, and the horses hurried for- 
ward at a more rapid pace. 

Suddenly there was a stirring and a whispering 
among the straw, Koppe and Tommitzsch now and 
then adding a word of caution. The nuns would fain 
have risen from their stifling shelter, and thanked the 
men who had dared so much for their deliverance, 
but they forbade it. After a few hours, when the sky 
grew rosy in the east, and the first fiery ray of the 
Easter sun broke upon the earth, new life stirred the 
nuns with irresistible force, and as with one voice, the 
exultant strain burst forth from their lips : 

44 Christ the Lord is risen 
From His martyr prison, 
Let us all rejoice in this, 
Christ our joy and solace is, 
Kyrie eleison." 

Leonhard had lifted his hand with a warning gest- 
ure, but it sank at his side. His eyes filled with tears 
as he listened ; the pure voices had a heavenly ring. 
Nor did he resist, when the nuns pressed around him, 



THE MAIDEN. 43 



took his hands, and overwhelmed him and his com- 
panions with their gratitude. 

In the holy fervor of her enthusiasm, Katharine von 
Bora stretched forth her hands and cried : " Easter ! 
Easter ! Thou name full of joy and of life ! Hear 
our resurrection hymn, thou Saviour, who hast had 
mercy on us. We were dead, and behold, we live ! 
The grave has yielded up its prey, and with the gold- 
en Easter sun, life sends us its greeting ! Hallelujah ! 
O thou world, from which I fled, receive me once 
more \ for vanity and delusion is the sanctity of con- 
vent life. Receive me, O world, shone upon by God's 
sun, and peopled with living beings ! In thee, more 
worthily than in the nun's habit will I serve my God ! 
Lord of the world, Thy kingdom is wide, Thou wilt 
doubtless have in it a place for poor Katharine !" 



CHAPTER V. 

SHELTERED. 

The month of May had come. In the Burgomas- 
ter's street, in Wittenberg, stood a high-gabled house, 
ornamented with two fierce dragon heads. There the 
syndic, Master Philip Reichenbach, and his wife were 
seated near a window enjoying the twilight — the sweet- 
est hour of the twenty-four to the master of the house 
— when, after the labors of the day, he could enjoy 
the peaceful quiet of his home. 

Master Reichenbach was a short, thick-set man, 
near fifty, and highly esteemed in Wittenberg for his 
calm judgment and honorable mind. His wife Elsa, 
a refined, energetic little woman, had doubtless been 
a great beauty in her youth ; and even now it was a 
pleasure to look into her fresh, kindly face, to whose 
delicate features the inner beauty of the soul had 
given their final charm. 

The arrangement of the house bore evidence of 
great wealth ; but the spacious halls were silent ; no 
merry, childish voices disturbed the stillness. So 
much the more were husband and wife drawn to each 
other. (44) 



THE MAIDEN. 45 

"At last the Doctor has found a shelter for the re- 
maining two of the escaped nuns," the syndic re- 
ported. 

"The Zeschau sisters?" asked Frau Elsa, with live- 
ly interest. "I thank God, for the dear Doctor's 
sake. I have pitied him from my heart. It is a mys- 
tery to me, how he will carry through all the business 
that rests upon him. Another had broken down long 
ago under the burden. His convent is like a dove- 
cote, where there is a continual coming and going. 
Who can count the letters he writes ? And must he 
not, as from a high watch-tower, overlook all things, 
like a king of the spiritual world, taking note of the 
smallest, as well as of the weightiest matters ? I am 
vexed with the people who trouble him with their 
small affairs, and waste his precious time. I was angry 
with the nuns at Nimptschen, when I heard that they 
had petitioned Dr. Martin; and when, not content 
with having been released from their prison, they 
came hither to trouble him further. I am comforted, 
now that his unceasing efforts have procured a shelter 
for them all — not only comforted, but glad and thank- 
ful, inasmuch as by these means, our dear Kate has 
become a member of our household." 

The syndic, well pleased with this turn of his wife's 
speech, contentedly rubbed his knees and said: "I 



46 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

am glad of it, dear Elsa. I was fearful, lest the 
guest, whom we received for Luther's sake, might 
prove burdensome to you, and disturb the quiet of 
our household. I feared also that you might be ill- 
suited to one another, for Katharine von Bora is of a 
different temper from you." 

A happy smile played around Frau Elsa's lips. 
"All my care has been turned into pleasure. You 
are right, — Katharine's temper and inner disposition 
are different from mine. There is something so noble 
and great-hearted in her character, that I often feel 
myself small in comparison. At times she seems 
proud and haughty, as even Dr. Luther lately re- 
marked. But her pride is only maidenly dignity, — 
the expression of her high and noble mind. And 
withal, her eyes meet the world with a glance so clear 
and jopen, her words are so straightforward, and her 
judgment so true, that often I am fain to ask her coun- 
sel. She is like a child, in her innocent happiness ; 
and often she falls upon my neck, kisses me, and ex- 
claims : ' Ah, how happy I am ; and I owe it all to 
you and to the great Doctor.' She always calls Lu- 
ther the c great Doctor/ and when we speak of him, 
she listens reverently with folded hands. As in for- 
mer days she reverenced the saints of the Romish 
calendar, so she now venerates Dr. Martin, holding 



THE MAIDEN. 47 

him to be greater and more glorious than many of 
those whom the Church has canonized. 

"You should see her, dear Philip, when she is 
busied with household duties. I feared at first, that 
she would cause me much unwonted labor ; but now, 
my hands often lie idle, because I find my work al- 
ready done. She reads my wishes in my eyes, and 
her hand is skillful and quick in learning the unac- 
customed duties. I often think, as I watch her: 
Happy is the man, whom this Martha will serve ! and 
a feeling of envy creeps into my heart, for I would 
rather keep her with me always, and I dread the day 
when the wooers will appear." 

"Are you thinking of Jerome Baumgaertner, the 
young patrician from Nuremberg ?" asked her hus- 
band. " Methinks you are needlessly troubled. I 
saw indeed how his eyes followed Katharine, when on 
your Name day he sat at table with us, and I notice 
that since then his visits are unnecessarily frequent. 
But Katharine is timid in her intercourse with men. 
You know that, although she has been four weeks in 
our house, she can scarcely be persuaded to leave it, 
except to go to church.' ' 

Elsa shook her head, regarding her husband with a 
compassionate smile : "I understand a woman's heart 
better than you. Modesty and reserve are a maiden's 



48 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

loveliest adornments, and in a man's eyes they are an 
added charm, urging him to pluck the flowers that 
seem beyond his reach. The young man seems not 
to displease Katharine \ and she dreads to leave the 
shelter of our house, not because of those who love 
her, but because of her enemies and detractors. She 
has heard the evil things that were said about the nuns 
of Nimptschen, although I tried to conceal them from 
her. She knows also that the merchant Leonhard 
Koppe, of Torgau, is in great danger from the anger 
of the Papists, and that Dr. Luther addressed to him 
a public letter of thanks for his brave deed. This is 
her reason for shunning intercourse with strangers. 
But it will not always be thus. ' ' 

The rosy glow of the sunset shone through the 
round panes, and the pictures on the wall, painted by 
the hand of Master Lucas Kranach, were tinged with 
a golden light. 

" How clear the sunset, and how fair the evening !" 
said the syndic. "Let us walk in the garden until 
supper is served. Have the peas been planted ? It 
should have been done yesterday, but I found no 
time." 

Frau Elsa did not know. They crossed the spa- 
cious hall and courtyard, and entered the garden, 
which covered a large piece of ground. To the right 



THE MAIDEN. 49 



was planted an orchard of fruit-trees, and to the left 
were borders already prepared for vegetables and 
flowers. 

A kneeling figure was busily engaged before one of 
the freshly dug beds. 

"Is this Katharine ?" exclaimed Reichenbach in 
surprise, as the figure hastily arose. " My dear Kath- 
arine, what are you doing here ?' ' he asked. 

With a smile, the girl replied : "The peas looked 
at me so questioningly, whether I would not prepare 
for them their little bed in the earth ; and the leaves 
of the cabbage plants hung limp, so that it was high 
time to plant them." 

The syndic's eyes rested for a moment upon her 
work. "But who has taught you this? And those 
slender fingers, that from childhood have been clasped 
in prayer, or telling beads, are they fit for such coarse 
work?'' 

Katharine glanced at him and said: "Love is a 
good teacher. One learns quickly, what one does 
willingly." 

"But you should spare yourself, lest you overtax 
your strength,'' warned the syndic. 

Katharine shook her head. " Did you spare your- 
self, when you permitted the strange, runaway nun, to 
disturb the quiet of your household ? Ah, I wish I 
4 



So KATHARINE VON BORA; 

could do much more to requite your Christian charity ! 
It is my daily prayer, that God may pay poor Katha- 
rine's debt." 

An expression of deep gratitude animated her 
face, and made it almost beautiful. Frau Elsa silently 
clasped the girl in her arms, while her husband turned 
into another path to hide his emotion. 

As he walked through the garden, he saw on all 
sides traces of a busy hand, that had cleared the paths, 
plucked up the weeds and tended the flowers. He did 
not need to ask, whose hand it was ; and with hearty 
pleasure his eyes followed Katharine, who, her arm 
linked in that of his wife, was walking before him. 

Soon Sybilla, the old servant, came to announce 
Dr. Luther, who presently appeared, clad in his dark- 
colored, monkish gown. 

" God's greeting to you, my dear friend," he ex- 
claimed. " How goes it with you? And how fares 
our poor little nun ?" 

The syndic reverently lifted his hat, and offered his 
hand in welcome to his guest. "Have no fear for 
her, Doctor, it goes well with her." 

"But you, my friend, — will she not be burdensome 
to you? You are making a great sacrifice for my 
sake ; and I am troubled when I think that you may 
be further inconvenienced. I wish some one would 



THE MAIDEN. 51 



come and make a wife of the maiden, — that is more 
truly a woman's vocation.' ' 

With a serious face, the syndic answered : " Most 
reverend Doctor, you have done so much for us. Will 
you do one thing more ? Do not allow this to trouble 
you. It is no sacrifice, to keep Katharine; but it 
would grieve us to part with her, for she has become 
dear to us as our own child." 

Luther's worn face was lighted with a ray of pleas- 
ure. Clasping his friend's hand, he said: "A true 
friend is a precious treasure, and not to be bought 
with gold. Continue to be my friend always. As for 
me, I shall hold you dearer than ever, from this day 
forth.' ' Meanwhile the women had approached. 
Katharine, when she saw the monk, sought timidly to 
draw Frau Elsa away, whispering: "The great Doc- 
tor!" But the little lady was not to be restrained 
from welcoming the beloved guest. 

Luther's eyes rested with pleased surprise upon the 
graceful figure of the former nun, in whose pale cheeks 
the air of freedom had caused the first spring-roses to 
bloom. With a smile he noted the traces of her work 
still clinging to her dress. 

"Ah, Mistress Katharine," he jested, " you have 
indeed become a child of the world. And how does 
it please you? I see that your mind turns to earthly 



52 KATHARINE VON BORA 

things, and that you busy yourself with mean and 
lowly matters, which draw your thoughts to the dust, 
for soiled are both your dress and hand. Would you 
not rather return to the convent, where you would be 
far removed from an evil world, while your thoughts 
floated heavenward upon clouds of incense ?" 

Katharine's cheeks grew rosier still, as she answered 
softly, with downcast eyes : " Leave me in the world ; 
it is beautiful here. Surely so long as I am not of the 
world, I can serve God acceptably, and dedicate my 
life to Him. From your own lips I have learned, that 
the dear Lord is served with small things, as well as 
with great." 

The Doctor was about to answer, when Frau Elsa 
forestalled him, with the request that he would remain 
to supper. 

Luther met her eyes with a merry glance. " How 
skillfully you have divined my thoughts. Had you 
not bidden me stay, I should have offered myself as 
your guest, otherwise I had gone supperless to bed ; 
for my servant, Wolfgang, but an hour ago, came to 
my cell with a very long face, saying : ' Doctor, what 
will you eat this evening ? There was a remnant of 
baked fish in the larder, which would have served for 
your supper ; but a cat must have eaten it, for noth- 
ing is left but a few bones.' M 



THE MAIDEN. 53 



With deep sympathy, Katharine looked up to the 
man, who in such rich measure broke the bread of life 
to all the world, and yet lacked daily bread for his 
own need. Her admiration rose at the greatness of 
his mind, which could turn his poverty into a jest. 
She whispered her thoughts to Frau Elsa, who an- 
swered in the same tone : " He has barely enough for 
the necessities of life. His professor's salary is but 
twenty-two thalers and twelve groschen, and he for- 
gets his own wants, to give to the many poor, who 
daily importune his generous heart.' ' 

" His life must be dreary enough," Katharine con- 
tinued, " in his gloomy convent, where no woman's 
hand can minister to his comfort. Wolfgang may be 
faithful, — but he is no woman." 

They entered the hall, where Sybilla had served the 
evening meal. 

"Would you hear some news, my friends?" said 
Luther, when they were seated. "Leonhard Koppe, 
the robber of nuns, for whom the Papists would fain 
prepare a heretic's death, rather deserves a martyr's 
crown; for behold, the deed which he ventured in 
God's name, has been followed by great blessing. It 
was of no avail, to conceal what had happened at 
Nimptschen. The tidings penetrated into other con- 
vents, and our dear Kate has found many imitators. 



54 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

To-day I learned, that nine nuns, together with their 
abbess, escaped from the Benedictine convent at Zeitz, 
six nuns from the abbey at Sarmitz, eight from the 
Cistercian convent of Bentlitz, and sixteen from the 
Dominican house of Widerstedt. Mistress Katharine 
will doubtless rejoice to hear, that three more nuns 
left Nimptschen, — not secretly, but were taken away 
in orderly fashion by their kinspeople. I am heartily 
glad of it. But in order that the convent gates may 
be opened more freely still, I am writing the history 
of Florentina von Oberweimar, who fled from the 
nunnery of Neuhelfta, near Eisleben. This little 
book will be printed and spread abroad, that all the 
world may learn what is a nun's life ; that the Devil's 
wiles may be exposed, and that poor Leonhard Koppe 
may hereafter be left in peace." 

Frau Elsa passed a dish to the Doctor, and pressed 
him to eat. " These are good tiding, reverend sir, 
and our dear Kate seems well pleased. I w T ill ask you 
to lend me the history of Florentina, as soon as it is 
printed. But do not forget that this is the time to 
eat. You need some nourishment, for the dark shad- 
ows under your eyes tell of sleepless nights and over- 
much study.' ' 

Luther mechanically put some of the food on his 
plate, and said : " For that the godless prophets of 



THE MAIDEN. 55 



Zwickau are to blame, who, while I sat imprisoned as 
Squire George, laid waste the vineyard of the Lord ; 
and it is more laborious to build up than to destroy. 
Many a morning, when I look at my untouched bed, 
I think of Karlstadt, and say : ' Behold, for this 
friendly service I have to thank thee !' " 

"But tell me, Doctor," said Frau Elsa, "how do 
you accomplish all this work, which would tax the 
strength of ten men? You preach, lecture, write 
books, translate the Bible, receive and answer letters, 
— yet you never grow weary, and always have a cheer- 
ful heart. You find time to help Wolfgang at his 
lathe, to tend the flowers in your garden, and to hold 
converse with your friends." 

Luther looked up with a pleasant smile. "Dear 
friend, for the accomplishment of such labors two 
things are needful, — order and prayer. Has not each 
hour sixty minutes ? Much can be done in sixty min- 
utes, if we do it in order, redeeming the time. And 
prayer is a fresh well, from whence body and soul 
draw ever new strength. This Psalter" — and he 
drew a little book from his breast-pocket, — " is my 
constant companion and comforter, from whom I learn 
and receive all that I need. I hold my prayers to be 
stronger by far than all the Devil's might and cun- 
ning ; and if for one day I forget to pray, my faith 



56 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

would grow cold. Work and pray evermore, and 
God will help thee!" 

Katharine listened with reverent attention. Then 
she bent her head and whispered : " The great Doc- 
tor ! The wonderful man ! Oh, to have him always 
before one's eyes, and to follow his example ! If I 
might but be his servant." A warm glance from 
Frau Elsa, and a soft pressure of the hand was her 
answer. 

Doctor Martin then entered into a conversation 
with the syndic, regarding the Knight Franz von 
Sickingen, whose tragic end had saddened many 
hearts. The strong man had been conquered by a 
stronger. The princes of Hesse, Palatinate and 
Treves, had besieged and overpowered his fortress 
of Landstuhl. 

"I was almost vexed with you, Doctor," said the 
syndic, "when you refused Sickingen' s proffered hand. 
His good sword, I trusted, would prove a strong de- 
fence, and hew a way for the Gospel, despite the Pope 
and the Emperor; for Sickengen's power was growing 
apace. Now it is clear to me, that in this matter also 
you were in the right." 

Luther shook his head sadly. "I grieve for thee, 
my brother Sickingen ! He meant it well with me. 
And yet he was a tempter, to whom I must needs say : 



THE MAIDEN. 57 



Get thee behind me, who, with carnal weapons, wouldst 
further God's sacred cause ! Such means are ill-pleas- 
ing to the Lord, and endanger the truth, which needs 
no earthly props or crutches, having within itself the 
power to conquer the world. It is the Word, which 
must achieve the victory, not the Sword I Had I en- 
trusted the Gospel to Sickingen's hand, it would have 
perished with the dying hero. But it is time that I 
go, for Wolfgang and the nun Florentina are awaiting 
me at home. Will you not give me something for the 
poor fellow ? He is so faithful, and would share his 
last morsel with me ! M 

Before Frau Elsa could rise, Katharine had wrapped 
a piece of smoked meat in a napkin, and given it to 
Doctor Martin. He thanked them, and wished them 
good-night. 



CHAPTER VI. 

A FLEETING FANCY. 

It was in August of the same year, 1523, when Frau 
Elsa entered her husband's room one morning in great 
haste. Her cheeks glowed, her breath came fast, and 
for some moments she was unable to speak. 

' ' I have discovered who it is, that every morning 
leaves a nosegay at the window. It is as I suspect- 
ed." 

The syndic rubbed his eyes and stared at his wife. 
" You mean the youth from Nuremberg?" 

" No other ! He has been very bold of late. In 
church he places himself near her, and disturbs her 
devotions with his attentions — it is sinful ! And Kate 
seems not disinclined to favor his suit. Only the oth- 
er day, when we supped with Lucas Kranach, she had 
much conversation with young Baumgaertner, who was 
among the guests. On the way home, she asked me 
if it were far from here to Nuremberg, and whether all 
Suabians were as hearty in their speech, as this young 
Jerome ? 

" What reply did you make ? ' ' 

(58) 



THE MAIDEN. 59 



" I told her the road was very long from here to 
Nuremberg, and that I was not aware that the speech 
of the Suabians was more hearty than that of the Sax- 
ons ; but this I knew — a man's friendly words were no 
proof that his heart was true. She answered not a 
word, but gave me an embarrassed, questioning look. ' ' 

" I trust she understood your meaning. It would 
grieve me to give her to Jerome. If we must needs 
part with her, I hope it may be to a worthy man, in 
whom we have confidence. This young gentleman 
seems to be of a light and frivolous disposition. " 

" I think the same, M replied Elsa, with a lively ges- 
ture. " But I believe that Doctor Luther is fond of 
the youth. He has repeatedly praised him for his in- 
dustry, and for the abundant knowledge he has acquir- 
ed at the University. I fear that Jerome will find a 
warm advocate in Luther.' ' 

" Dearest Elsa, " said the syndic, laying his hand 
on his wife's shoulder, "here our experience must 
needs come to the aid of youthful ignorance. Katha- 
rine is to us as our own child, and we would sin, did 
we not endeavor to save her from unhappiness and 
heart-ache. I can easily believe that her heart inclines 
to the youth — he is of a handsome figure, has good 
manners, and is moreover the first man who has ap- 
proached her with professions of love. If she knew 



6o KATHARINE VON BORA; 

more of men, she would be more cautious." 

Frau Elsa ended the conversation, and urged her 
husband to be ready for morning prayers. 

As Sybilla was bringing in the morning meal, three 
loud knocks were heard at the door, and presently a 
handsome, richly-dressed youth appeared. Bowing 
with courtly grace, he stood upon the threshold, await- 
ing the master's permission to enter. 

" You honor us at an early hour, Master Baumgaert- 
ner," said the syndic, with some embarrassment, rising 
and offering his hand to the visitor, while Frau Elsa, 
in confused haste, busied herself about the table. 

The young man replied : " Pardon me, if I disturb 
you, but because of my sudden departure, I found no 
more suitable time to bid you farewell/ ' 

Reichenbach looked up at the tall youth with sur- 
prise, and Frau Elsa drew nearer. "What do you 
say ? You are going to leave Wittenberg ? ' ' 

Nodding assent, the student explained : "It is hard 
for me to leave the place where I have experienced so 
much pleasure and benefit — yet I owe obedience to 
my father, who demands my speedy return.' * 

With hypocritical warmth and ill-concealed pleasure 
Frau Elsa urged the young man to share the repast ; 
inquired with much feeling as to the reasons of the 
paternal command, and was altogether so friendly and 



THE MAIDEN, 61 



affable, that he was surprised to find himself thus sud- 
denly received into favor by one who had always treat- 
ed him with chilling reserve. His eyes often wander- 
ed toward the door, as though he expected some one, 
and the longer he waited, the more restless were his 
glances, and the more confused his answers. 

At last he rose to go. It was evident that some- 
thing weighed upon his mind, to which his tongue re- 
fused to give utterance, until with a heroic effort, he 
plucked up courage to ask after Katharine. 
" I should like to bid her farewell, if I — " 
His sentence was left unfinished ; the embarrassment 
which it produced increasing his own diffidence. 

After a painful silence, Frau Elsa stammered : — 
" Doubtless she has not slept well, or she would have 
appeared at morning prayers. If you have any mes- 
sage for her, I will gladly be the bearer of it." 

A shadow fell upon the young man's handsome face. 
His lips parted, so that the white teeth became visible 
under his brown beard, and with anxious questioning 
his eyes rested upon the face of the lady, who grew hot 
and cold under his glance. Her husband's voice 
sounded almost like a reproof when he said : 

" Go and see why Katharine delays so long." With 
inward reluctance Frau Elsa turned to obey, when the 
door was opened and Katharine appeared. At the 



62 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

sight of the young man, she started and blushed. 

The syndic came to her relief. Taking her hand in 
a fatherly fashion, he said : " Come hither, Katharine, 
and greet Master Baumgaertner, who has come to take 
leave of us before he returns to his home. ,, 

Katharine's face grew pale, and her, eyes timidly 
sought those of the young man, who approached, and 
would have taken her hand. 

"I pray you, dear lady, remember me kindly, as I 
will also faithfully keep you in my memory, until God 
so orders it, that I may see your face again.' ' 

"You will then return to Wittenberg ?' ' both wo- 
men asked, in one breath — the one with glad surprise, 
the other in visible dismay. 

With a burst of enthusiasm, the young man exclaim- 
ed : "How could I forget Wittenberg! Here my 
mind was nourished, and my heart awakened. Not 
long, I trust, will dutiful obedience detain me in Nu- 
remburg ; then I shall hasten to return hither. In the 
meantime I commit you to God's keeping." 

He paused, to conceal the emotion which overpow- 
ered him, and after a very hasty leave-taking, hurried 
away. 

On this and the following day, deep silence reigned 
in the syndic's house. Husband and wife had little to 
say to one another, and overhead, in her little cham- 



THE MAIDEN. 63 



ber, sat Katharine, lonely and sorrowful. Her heart 
seemed empty. Now that Jerome had gone away, she 
became aware of the warmth of her feeling for him. 
She resolved to take comfort in the affection of her 
friends, but this seemed an insufficient substitute ; and 
she had a strong foreboding that Jerome would not 
return. Yet, when the hot tears would have burst 
from her eyes, she struggled with all her strength 
against her sorrow, lest the syndic and his wife might 
perceive that her love was shared by another, whose 
suit they, disapproved. She felt it as a sin, that her 
benefactors should yield to a stranger, because, for- 
sooth, he had approached her with friendly words and 
glances. " Be still, foolish heart," she said, " and see 
to it, if with redoubled love thou canst expiate thy 
wrong against these kind friends.' ' 

Shortly after, Frau Elsa received her husband one 
evening with a lively welcome : " Philip, our Kate is 
a brave girl ! She has conquered her own heart, and 
is once more wholly ours ! " 



CHAPTER VII. 

KATHARINE IN TROUBLE, AND DR. MARTIN IN STRIFE 
WITH HIS FRIENDS. 

More than a year had passed. The Autumn of 
1524 had come, busily destroying whatever the sum- 
mer had wrought. In the streets the wind played his 
pranks with the first fallen leaves. On the housetops 
the swallows held noisy counsel together, as to their 
flight to the sunny Southern land, whither the storks 
had already preceded them. 

It was Sunday morning. Crowds streamed from the 
town church at Wittenberg, where Luther had preach- 
ed. In eager groups they stood about the market- 
place; and noticeable among these was the syndic, 
Philip Reichenbach, engaged in lively conversation 
with a courtly looking man in a rich dress, whose 
handsome, intelligent face was of a rare, artistic type. 
A long beard fell down upon his breast. This was the 
court-painter and Senator, Lucas Kranach. 

"I scarcely trusted my eyes," exclaimed the syndic, 
eagerly gesticulating, "when I saw Brother Martin 
appear in the priest's frock, instead of his monkish 

(64) 



THE MAIDEN. 65 



habit. My heart rejoices, for the ugly cowl no longer 
suited him. After he has inwardly put away the 
monk's life, why should he continue to wear its out- 
ward sign ? The old gown, worn and threadbare as it 
is, has earned its rest. But it pleases me little that he 
continues in the monastery, when all the monks, save 
the Prior Eberhard Brisger, have gone away. It were 
better he broke with all monkish habits. ' ' 

"It is well known, dear friend," said Kranach, 
"that Dr. Martin has small regard for outward ap- 
pearances. He may have good reasons for continuing 
in the convent. It is said that the Elector intends to 
make him a gift of it. ' ' 

The syndic opened his eyes. "What ! and would 
he receive such a gift ? ' ' 

" Why not ? " asked the other. " It is an evidence 
of favor on the Elector's part." 

" Hm," said Reichenbach, "as you take it. There 
he sits, alone in the great, dreary, half-ruined house, 
with no woman's hand to minister to his wants. All 
that he teaches concerning the blessed Gospel is clear 
and plain to me ; as he teaches, so he lives ; and if 
anything in his words seemed difficult to understand, 
it is made clear by his life. But this passes my under- 
standing — that, while he encourages priests and monks 
to enter the state of matrimony and commends it, as 
5 



66 KATHARINE VON BORA 

one that is holy and well-pleasing to God, yet he, for 
his own person, will have none of it. Even to Albert 
of Brandenburg, the Grand Master of the German 
Order, he gave the advice : ' Throw aside the habit of 
your order, take a wife, and put a Duke's crown upon 
your head/ which the great lord has followed, to the 
joy of all believers, and of Luther especially.. It is 
known that he urged the Archbishop of Mayence, to 
follow the example of his cousin of Prussia. And does 
he not give his friends cause for doubting the earnest- 
ness of his teaching, or for fearing that he lacks cour- 
age, himself to enter the state which he commends to 
others ?" 

Lucas Kranach nodded assent. " I think with you, 
and I wish with all my heart, that Luther were of ano- 
ther mind in this matter, not only for the sake of his 
friends and the good cause, but for his own. Truly, 
if matters continue thus, we shall soon weep behind 
his bier ; and then, the Lord only knows what will be- 
come of the world. He daily prepares himself for 
death, being of the opinion that the work will prosper 
without him, it being God's work, who is able to carve 
Himself a Dr. Martin out of a willow twig. But I re- 
gard it otherwise, namely, that God will not throw 
aside His chosen instruments until his purpose is ac- 
complished, and the world cannot yet forego Luther's 



THE MAIDEN. 67 



services. But that he may carry out what he has be- 
gun, he must not continue alone — without care or ser- 
vice. Even though his bones were of iron, and his 
nerves of steel, yet the giant's task, which rests uptfn 
his shoulders, will bear him down, without a faithful 
housewife at his side, who will care for the wants of his 
body. His spirit is oftentimes so lost in heavenly 
matters, as to forget that the body craves rest and 
nourishment. Only the other day I found him sitting 
in his chair, faint and pale, and at my questioning he 
confessed that over the translation of the Psalms, he 
Bad passed two days and two nights without food or 
drink. When at night, wearied with the day's work, 
he lies down upon his bed, it is a hard one, and no 
gentle hand has smoothed his pillow. Oh, that God 
would guide his heart to choose a wife who would 
be a helpmeet for him ! He would soon recover his 
strength and be of good courage. But where indeed," 
continued Kranach with a sigh, " where is the woman 
worthy of such a man ? ' ' He paused, and his eyes 
wandered over the crowded square. "See," he ex- 
claimed, "yonder goes your dear wife with Mistress 
Katharine ! Is it true, as I have been told, that the 
Reverend Doctor Caspar Glatz has sued for her hand ?' ' 
Reichenbach's face was clouded with annoyance, as 
he answered : "You touch upon a matter which trou- 



6S KATHARINE VON BORA; 

bles me sorely. You doubtless heard that young Baum- 
gaertner, who at one time pursued her with his loving 
glances, soon forgot our Kate, and took the wife his 
father had chosen for him ! I am almost glad of it, 
for Kate now sees that I was in the right, and that the 
youth, by reason of his light mind and fickle heart, 
was unworthy of her. But I am distressed at this suit 
of Dr. Glatz, which Luther favors, thinking Katha- 
rine, as a former nun, most fitted to become the wife 
of a God-fearing priest. He is a good man, and if 
the sacrifice must needs be made, I would rather give 
her to him than to many another. But behold, since 
Master Nicholas von Amsdorf came at Luther's bid- 
ding, to press the Doctor's suit, she is wholly changed. 
She heard him in silence, then burst into tears and 
said : ' Reverend sir, love cannot be forced or com- 
manded ; it must be given by God. My heart is cold 
toward him you bid me marry, and I never could be 
to him what a Christian wife should be, according to 
God's word and command. Do not urge me, for I 
would rather continue in my present condition all my 
life, than give my hand to Dr. Glatz.' When Ams- 
dorf represented to her that Luther would be ill-pleas- 
ed at her refusal, her tears flowed afresh, and she beg- 
ged that he might not be told \ but that she herself 
would acquaint him with her decision. When on that 



THE MAIDEN. 69 



same day Luther came to us, there was a scene which 
brought the tears to our eyes. Katharine fell at his 
feet, and spoke as I have never heard her speak. The 
Doctor dealt with her as a father with his child, com- 
forted her with gentle, kindly words, and promised 
not to torment her any further, but to leave the matter 
in God's hands. After she had gone away, he sat 
with us for an hour longer, looking very serious, and 
spoke to us in such moving words, that it was easy to 
see how greatly he was disturbed by Katharine's trou- 
ble. After musing for some moments, he said : " Now 
I understand, my friend, why you fear to lose Catha- 
rine. She is indeed a treasure, and a maiden after 
God's own heart. I am vexed with myself, that I 
have hitherto regarded her so little, when I am really 
her guardian and her spiritual father. ' Since that day 
Katharine no longer stands timidly aloof from the 
Doctor, but is ready at all times to speak with him ; 
and if he commends her housewifely virtues and mai- 
denly reserve, her face beams with pleasure. V 

Lucas Kranach, who had listened with much atten- 
tion, replied : ' t Yes, Katharine is of an excellent dis- 
position, and grows ever dearer to me. I was heartily 
glad for her sake, when the exiled King of Denmark, 
during his recent visit in Wittenberg, gave her a gol- 
den ring, in acknowledgment of her womanly virtues. 



70 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

But God forbid, that such distinction should make her 
vain!" 

"Do not fear/' Reichenbach replied; "her mind 
is not set upon high things. ' ' 

In the meantime they had reached the Augustinian 
monastery, where Luther lived. Two wayfarers, who 
had doubtless asked help of the Doctor, were coming 
out of the door • for no one in Wittenberg was so fre- 
quently sought out by the poor and needy, as was the 
Professor with his salary of 22 thalers and 12 groschen. 
He gave his last coin, and when that was spent, he did 
not spare the silver cup, which had been a gift from 
the Elector. 

" Come, let us wish the Doctor a good day," said 
Kranach. " I desire to thank him for his sermon. ,, 

They crossed the court, and passing through a long, 
dark passage, reached Luther's cell. They found him 
sitting at his table — a large pile of letters before him. 
He received his friends with evident pleasure. 

" Welcome, dear friends ! See here — my Sunday- 
guests, who see to it that Doctor Martin shall have no 
rest even on this blessed day. They all seem to be 
wedding-guests. Yes, you may well stare — to-day all 
my friends would have me marry. Here is a letter 
from my good friend, Mistress Argula von Grumbach, 
who with many words urges me to establish by my own 



THE MAIDEN. 7 1 

act my doctrine of priestly marriage, and by my own 
example to encourage others. Here is another from 
Pastor Link in Altenburg. He announces the birth 
of a daughter. Here again, my father resumes his old 
litany, and speaks with such moving words, that rae- 
thinks I must reach out after the first maiden I can 
find. Now tell me, dear friends, are not these merry 
Sunday-guests ?" 

• Lucas Kranach answered earnestly : " Perhaps they 
are God's messengers to you, Martin. Your friends 
are in danger of losing faith in your teachings, if you 
continue in your present course.' ' 

Luther shook his head, where the tonsure had al- 
most disappeared under his curly hair. 

" Do my friends so little understand me ? See, 
dearest Lucas, by what I have said concerning the 
sanctity and the necessity of priestly marriage, I will 
abide forevermore. For according to God's Word, 
there is no condition on earth more blessed than that 
of marriage, which God Himself has instituted and 
sanctified for men of every degree, and in which state 
not only kings and princes and saints, but, although 
in a different manner, even the eternal Son of God, 
was born. Yet for myself, I have no thought of tak- 
ing a wife. My enemies are busy enough ; for to the 
slanders of the Papists are added the revilings of the 



72 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

6 heavenly prophets/ in whose name the ill-condition- 
ed Thomas Mlinzer has published a pamphlet ' against 
the ungodly, soft-living flesh at Wittenberg. ' Were I 
to marry, they would speedily cry out : ' Aha, now we 
see what his Gospel means — to serve the flesh and live 
in ease V This fear makes even my friends to hesitate, 
and Dr. Schurf said but lately : ' If this monk took a 
wife, the devils would laugh, and the angels would 
weep ;' and my dear Philip Melanchthon, who stood 
by, added : ' Yes, the Papists are watching for it ; and 
if he did this thing, he would work his doctrine great- 
er harm than the Pope's excommunication or the Em- 
peror's interdict were able to do.' Moreover, who 
would think of marrying in these troublous times, when 
peasants have gone mad, when castles and convents 
are burning on all sides, and streams of innocent blood 
are flowing? Nor do I experience within myself the 
least inclination thereto. I am indeed in the Lord's 
hand, who can turn my heart and mind whenever it 
pleases Him. But as I am now disposed, I will not 
take a wife. Not that I am of wood or stone, but my 
mind is averse to marriage, and I daily anticipate a 
heretic's doom. Nor would I harden my heart, or 
reason with the Lord — but I trust that He will not suf- 
fer me to abide much longer in this world. Finally, 
when I advocated the marriage of priests, I did not 



THE MAIDEN. 73 



thereby intend to impose a new sort of bondage, or to 
place a new yoke upon men's necks, like the unhappy 
Karlstadt, who would perforce compel every priest to 
marry. There shall be perfect liberty in this matter 
— either to do, or to leave undone. 7 ' 

Luther spoke in a tone of such very decided con- 
viction, that Kranach did not venture to reply. He 
grasped the Doctor's hand, asking his friend's pardon 
with his eyes. Reichenbach also arose, and said 
gently : " God will provide l" 

The two men took their leave, and Luther, being 
much wearied, called Wolfgang, and bade him read 
aloud to him the remaining letters. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

A SUDDEN RESOLVE. 

New Year's Day of 1525 was a gloomy one, full 
of premonitions of coming evil. Even darker and 
heavier rose the storm-clouds, which had been gather- 
ing since October. In Thuringia, in Franconia and 
Suabia, disturbances had arisen among the oppressed 
peasantry — when Luther's " Sermon on Christian Lib- 
erty ' ' fell like a spark among the explosive material, 
kindling a flame that startled the world. Luther, in 
whom the wretched peasants put their trust, had ear- 
nestly advocated their cause, and with a prophetic 
voice appealed to the consciences of the nobles ; urg- 
ing them to grant the just demands of the peasants, as 
set forth in their twelve articles. Peace would no 
doubt have speedily followed, had the knights consent- 
ed to reason or mercy. But when they gave no he.ed 
to Luther's warning, and stubbornly persisted in their 
cruel exactions, the storm burst. Like an avalanche, 
gathering strength at every step, the rebellion, begin- 
ning in the Black Forest, spread over Suabia, Thurin- 
gia and Franconia. On all sides castles and convents 

(74) 



THE MAIDEN. 75 



stood in flames, and the blood of the murdered ones 
cried aloud to Heaven. Instigated by the "proph- 
ets ' ' of Zwickau, the peasants were seized with a wild 
bestial frenzy, and a deadly terror paralyzed the hands 
of princes and nobles. 

Luther was deeply grieved. With his fearless hero- 
ism, he twice ventured among the raging mob, endea- 
voring to recall them to their senses. But for once 
his voice was powerless. With a heavy heart he re- 
turned to Wittenberg, and with a heart still heavier, 
he wrote his pamphlet "against the plundering and 
murderous peasants, ' ' calling upon the princes to draw 
the sword in defence of their own. By degrees they 
collected their forces, and met the disorderly bands 
with experienced and disciplined troops. The insur- 
gents succumbed ; but, to his sorrow, Luther saw the 
victors wreaking unworthy vengeance upon all who 
wore the peasant's smock. 

The church-bells throughout the land proclaimed 
the return of peace, and all hearts shared in the gene- 
ral thanksgiving. But Luther sat in his cell, and 
mourned. He bowed his head, refusing food and 
drink — for every man's hand was against him. The 
Papists showered curses and imprecations upon his 
head : " Thou art the man whose blasphemous words 
concerning Christian liberty, broke the fetters of the 



76 KATHARINE VON BVRA ; 

peasants, and caused this bloodshed.' ' The peasants 
in their turn cried out: "Thou hast deceived our 
hopes, hast betrayed and forsaken us ! n His friends 
scarcely ventured to show themselves. And the Gos- 
pel ? Ah'! it seemed as though all were at an end ! 

That the measure of his misery might be full, the 
crushing news came from Torgau, that the prince, 
whose wisdom and firmness had been a strong defence 
and support of the Gospel, had, on the 5th of May, 
departed from this evil world. Was night again to 
cover the earth, after the morning star of the Gospel 
had risen so brightly in the Heavens ? Would God 
cast away his servant — his faithful servant, who, like a 
conquering hero, had begun his course so gloriously? 

In Wittenberg there was much anxious questioning. 
Where was Luther ? His pulpit was silent. His chair 
at the University was empty. He was sitting alone in 
his cell, lost to outward affairs, and wholly absorbed 
in the inner world of thought and prayer. It was al- 
ways thus on the eve of a great resolution. Thus he 
had sat and meditated, when he was wrestling with the 
resolve, in defiance of the pope and the whole world, 
to speak the truth, and to begin the struggle with the 
superstitions of Rome. 

Does he utter Elijah's complaint: "It is enough; 
now, O Lord, take away my life ! M Does he despair 



THE MAIDEN. 77 



of himself, and of his mission ? No — but a fierce, he- 
roic struggle is passing in his soul. At last he is able 
to pray ; and the bruised spirit finds the open door, 
from whence cometh its help. The heavy eyes flash 
with a new fire ; the furrowed brow grows clear ; his 
upturned face breathes a holy defiance. Suddenly he 
leaves his cell and repairs to the house of Lucas Kra- 
nach, one of his dearest friends. 

The artist was standing at his easel, engaged upon 
a portrait of Bugenhagen, the preacher of the town- 
church. At Luther's entrance, he dropped his brush 
and received his friend with open arms. 

" My Martin ! Thank God that I see you again ! 
We were in sore trouble on your behalf. But what 
great thing has happened, Martin ? Your face shines 
as it does when some great thought has taken posses- 
sion of you.' ' 

Luther met his friend's eyes with a solemn gaze : 
" Send for Dr. Bugenhagen, and for the lawyer, Dr. 
Apel — I desire to ask a friendly service of you three." 

Kranach sent a messenger to the two men, who soon 
arrived, and rejoiced no less than the painter, at the 
sight of their friend. 

Luther began: "My dear friends, a change has 
come over me, which will cause you to marvel greatly. 
Not to keep you in [suspense, I will tell you at once : 



78 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

Brother Martin has received the Lord's command to 
take to himself a wife ! ' ' 

In mute surprise all eyes were fixed upon Luther, 
who calmly continued : " It is the Lord's doing, and 
little short of a miracle in my own eyes. Therefore 
my heart consents willingly." 

"The Lord's Name be praised," cried Lucas Kra- 
nach, who was the first to recover from his astonish- 
ment. "Brother Martin, this is indeed from God, 
and an answer to my secret prayers. But tell us 
whom, among the daughters of the land, have you 
chosen ? ' ' 

" Her name is Katharine von Bora," answered Lu- 
ther. 

Again there was a silence ; then the three men, with 
one accord, hastened to their friend, and warmly 
pressed his hands. "This also is from God," ex- 
claimed Kranach, " for among all the maidens of my 
acquaintance, she is the most worthy. ' ' 

Bugenhagen, in hearty, earnest words expressed his 
pleasure at Luther's choice, while Kranach hurried 
from the room, and soon returned with his wife. 

In Mistress Barbara's eyes two great tears were glis- 
tening, as she offered her hand to Luther. "Bless- 
ings upon you, reverend Doctor," she said with a 
trembling voice, "and blessed is the maiden of your 



THE MAIDEN. 79 

choice. How I thank the dear Lord, who has thus 
shown you His mercy, after the afflictions of these 
times. Ah. Doctor, heretofore you have, in high and 
noble words, lauded the holy state of matrimony, but 
you will find in this blessed condition more than words 
can tell." 

A servant brought a flagon of wine and four silver 
cups on a golden salver. 

"Be seated, dear friends," urged Kranach, while 
Mistress Barbara filled the cups with sparkling Spanish 
wine. 

" Now tell us, Brother Martin," said Kranach, rub- 
bing his hands with glee, "how did this change come 
to pass ? For I no longer dared hope for such a reso- 
lution from you." 

Luther took a draught of the wine and answered : 
"Man proposes and God disposes; and when He 
drives the human heart, it is hard to kick against the 
pricks. I considered three things ; first, my enemies, 
who are waxing ever bolder and more malicious, and 
accuse me of driving others whither I myself fear to 
follow. Therefore, in defiance of the Devil, the prin- 
ces and bishops, I will take a wife, thus testifying to 
the holiness of marriage, which they despise and re- 
ject. I will not delay, that I may still have time to 
enforce my doctrine by my own act. The times are 



So KATHARINE VON BORA; 

evil, and my last hour maybe near at hand, and I 
would that death should find me wedded. Then, I 
considered my old father. I called to mind my grief 
when, as a disobedient son, I entered the monastery. 
I would fain repair my wrong-doing, and say to him 
some day, in answer to his pleadings : ' See, dear fa- 
ther, Martin has a wife. Be at rest, and rejoice with 
him!' In the third place, I considered my friends, 
whose courage is weak, and who fear to marry, while 
Luther remains single. Thus would I, by my own ex- 
ample, establish the doctrine I have preached.' ' 

" Dear Kate/' exclaimed Mistress Barbara, with en- 
thusiasm, " Blessed art thou among women \ the lines 
are fallen unto thee in pleasant places ! ' ' 

"Does she know what is in store for her?" asked 
Dr. Apel. 

Luther replied : "I have seen her more frequently 
of late, and I observed with pleasure, how her inner 
worth, her housewifely virtues, and her noble mind 
were more and more clearly revealed to me. Yet I 
am not an ardent lover. I am past forty, and my 
heart beats calmly, although I love her well. There- 
fore she doubtless has no suspicion of my purpose ; but 
I trust that she will not refuse me her hand. I would 
request you, my friends, to accompany me, that my 
betrothal, made before witnesses, may have force and 



THE MAIDEN, 81 

validity in the world's eyes." 

" This is a joyous errand ; few such have fallen to 
my lot," said Kranach. " But tell me, Martin, why 
will you carry out your purpose thus secretly ? Me- 
lanchthon — ' ' 

" Do not speak to me of him/' interrupted Luther, 
"he is of a timid nature — he and others of my friends, 
who fear that my work will fall to pieces if I take a 
wife, especially one who was once a nun. What is to 
be done, must be done quickly, lest the Devil cause 
confusion by the evil speaking of friends as well as 
foes." 

Dr. Apel seemed lost in thought. Suddenly he 
lifted his head, and with an embarrassed smile, turned 
to Luther, " I rejoice at this with all my heart. But I 
have some misgiving, whether Katharine, with all the 
excellence of her heart and disposition, is suited to 
you, and will continue to satisfy you. For I fear she 
has brought but little knowledge or learning with her 
from the convent. Forgive me for thus speaking my 
thought." 

Luther's eyes shone. " My dear Apel, tell me, 
what is it that makes Melanchthon's wife so dear to 
him, and his house the abode of happiness ? He did 
not seek after a learned wife, but looked to the heart 
alone. A learned woman is no better than a gadfly, 
6 



82 . KATHARINE VON BORA; 

that glitters and yet stings. The woman who pleases 
her husband, and makes marriage a paradise on earth, 
is one with a gentle, God-fearing heart, loving and 
faithful, with a firm and skilful hand to govern her 
household. " 

A grateful glance from Barbara's eyes thanked him 
for his words. 

" Now let us go, in God's Name," said Kranach, 
reaching for his cloak and hat. 

They left the house, and Barbara silently made the 
sign of the holy cross after them. ' ' 



Mistress Riechenbach and Katharine von Bora were 
sitting together in the great hall, preparing vegetables 
for the family dinner. 

"Is it true," asked the latter, " that the new elector 
has promised to give his earnest support to the Gos- 
pel?" 

Elsa assented. " During the lifetime of his brother, 
of blessed memory, he frequently expressed his devo- 
tion to the Gospel, and has always shown much respect 
to Dr. Martin. 

Katharine's eyes flashed. " Honor to whom honor 
is due. The Doctor is greater than any — the Empe- 
ror, kings and princes must do him homage." 



THE MAIDEN. 83 



Mistress Elsa smiled at the enthusiasm which every 
mention of Luther's name called forth in Katharine, 
and changed the conversation. 

Suddenly a loud knock was heard. Katharine has- 
tened to open the door, and Luther, Kranach, Bugen- 
hagen, and Apel entered. Their greeting was so for- 
mal and solemn, that Katharine stepped aside in sur- 
prise. 

They approached Mistress Elsa, whom the strange 
solemnity of their appearance had put in a flutter of 
embarrassment. 

"Will you permit me," said Luther, "in the pres- 
ence of yourself, and of these three honorable men, to 
speak with Katharine von Bora, upon a matter of great 
moment ? ' ' 

Questioning with her eyes first Luther, then the oth- 
ers, who had remained in the background, Mistress 
Elsa, after a slight hesitation, called to Katharine, who 
approached with a feeling of uneasy apprehension. 

"Dear Mistress Kate," Luther began, "you know 
how great is my interest in your welfare, and how I 
have endeavored to find for you a worthy husband, 
that as a wife you might fulfil your true vocation. But 
to this day my efforts have been unavailing, whereat I 
have been much troubled. But the proverb says : Of 
all good things there are three — therefore I again come 



84 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

to you in a matter of this nature, and entreat you — ' ' 
Her hands were lifted with a gesture of dismay. 
"Do not fear, dear Katharine, M continued Luther, 
in a gentle tone. " To-day I appear not for another, 
but, since God has put it into my heart, to delay no 
longer in enforcing my teaching by my example, and 
it has told me, without questioning, who was its choice, 
therefore I ask you, in the presence of God and these 
human witnesses, whether you will plight your troth 
to Dr. Martin Luther, and be his wedded wife ? ' ' 

A deep silence succeeded. The three men stood 
immovable. Mistress Elsa stared at the Doctor with 
wide-open eyes. And Katharine ? Her frame trem- 
bled \ she caught the arm of a chair for support. Her 
face was pale, and her heart seemed to have stopped 
its beating. 

Suddenly she lifted her clasped hands and whispered 
in happy forgetfulness of her surroundings: "Lord, 
my God, Thou knowest that I would have esteemed it 
happiness to be his servant ! and now I am held wor- 
thy to be his wife ! Lord, Thy mercy is very great ! ' ' 
From Mistress Elsa's side of the room loud sobs 
were heard. Deeply moved, Luther took Katharine's 
hand. 

" Then you will be mine until death? " 

"Yes," came the happy, trembling answer, her 



THE MAIDEN. $5 



heart sending back the rosy color to her cheeks. Nev- 
er in her life had she seemed so fair, as in this moment 
of her supreme happiness. 

Then the " great Doctor " sealed his betrothal with 
a kiss. 



Light streamed from the upper windows of Master 
Reichenbach's house on the evening of this eventful 
day. A festive company was gathered in the splendid 
apartments. Before an altar, bright with flowers and 
lights, knelt Martin Luther and Katharine von Bora, 
surrounded by their friends, who reverently, with fold- 
ed hands, listened as Luther prayed : " Dear heavenly 
Father, who hast vouchsafed to bestow upon me Thy 
fatherly name and office, grant me grace and blessing 
to rule and govern my wife and household in Thy 
fear. Give unto me wisdom and strength, and unto 
them a willing heart and mind, to follow and obey 
Thy Commandments, through Jesus Christ. Amen." 

"Amen," responded the others, and Bugenhagen 
placed the rings on the hands of the betrothed pair, 
blessing their union in the name of the holy Trinity. 

This was done on Tuesday after the feast of the Ho- 
ly Trinity, the 13th of June, 1525. 



CHAPTER IX. 

A DAY OF REJOICING. 

The rooks who lodged among the grey walls of the 
Augustinian Convent at Wittenberg, peeped curiously 
forth from their nests, to discover the cause of the un- 
wonted activity throughout the silent house. They 
were accustomed to being left in undisputed posses- 
sion, but now they fluttered about in dismay, as 
many people, busily going and coming, carried in all 
manner of household goods, such as seemed to them 
ill-suited to a convent. Still greater was their sur- 
prise, when the kind monk, who had daily thrown 
them a few handfuls of grain, no longer showed him- 
self, and they were forced to fly abroad for their daily 
bread. 

A bustling activity had now entered the lonely 
old house. With busy haste, Frau Elsa went in and 
out. The large room, overlooking the court, was be- 
ing freshly painted under her directions, and supplied 
with costly furniture. She came each day to feast her 
eyes upon the pleasant home she was preparing for her 
beloved Kate. But she kept the door carefully locked 

(86) 



THE MAIDEN. 87 



and the key hidden in her pocket — for Kate was to 
know nothing of this until the day when Luther would 
bring his bride to his home — which was to be on the 
2 7th of June. 

As the day drew near, the commotion increased, 
and Frau Elsa saw with heartfelt joy, how persons of 
all degrees sought to testify to Dr. Martin their love 
and devotion. Her eyes filled with tears, when one 
day an aged peasant woman came hobbling in on her 
crutch. She brought in a basket a hen and six little 
chicks, saying that she must give something to the 
man who, like the Saviour of old, had restored to a 
a widowed mother her only son ; for at Luther's word 
the convent gates had opened, and her son had come 
back to her. 

Many others came, with stores for the kitchen and 
larder, and Frau Elsa could scarcely find room for so 
many provisions. Shortly before the appointed day, 
the Senate of Wittenberg sent as a token of its esteem, 
a barrel of Eimbeck beer, and twenty gold florins for 
the Doctor—and for Mistress Katharine a piece of fine 
Suabian linen, together with the written promise, to 
supply the newly wedded couple for one year with ta- 
ble wine. 

On the following day the University of Wittenberg 
sent to the greatest of its teachers a huge silver tank- 



KATHARINE VON BORA; 



kard, lined with gold, and richly chased. The in- 
scription reads thus: " The honorable University of 
the City of Wittenberg sends this bridal gift to Dr. 
Martin Luther and Katharine von Bora ; in the year 
1525, on Tuesday after the Feast of St. John the Bap- 
tist." 

Frau Elsa was busily arranging the many wedding 
gifts about the room. With a smile she said to her- 
self: " What will the Doctor say to these tokens of 
affection, after he had strictly forbidden all gifts from 
his friends, ' ' when a wagon rolled into the court, and 
the Elector's serving men unloaded a large wild boar 
and two roebucks. They charged the wondering Elsa 
with a greeting from the court-preacher, Spalatin, to 
Dr. Luther, and in the confusion of her happiness, she 
had well nigh embraced the bearer of the message. 

Meanwhile, Luther sat in his cell, writing the last 
of his wedding invitations. A number of letters had 
already been dispatched to more distant friends — to 
his aged parents at Mansfeld, to the three Senators of 
that town, to his friends in Altenburg — Spalatin and 
Link, and to Amsdorf and others, in Magdeburg. 
This last one had almost been forgotten, although it 
should have been the first, being directed to the mer- 
chant, Leonhard Koppe, in Torgau, without whose 
deed of mercy, Luther had doubtless never seen his 
Kate. 



THE MAIDEN. ' &9 



"Dear and reverend Father Prior," it ran, "you 
know what has befallen ? namely, that the nun, whom 
two years ago you rescued from one convent, is about 
to enter another — not however to take the veil, but to 
become the housewife of Dr. Luther, who heretofore 
has dwelt alone in the old, forsaken Augustinian mon- 
astery in Wittenberg. God delights in preparing sur- 
prises, both for me and for the world. I pray you, 
therefore, to come to my wedding on the Tuesday 
after the feast of St. John the Baptist — but without 
gifts." 

The important day had arrived. All Wittenberg 
was in a flutter of festive excitement, and many fer- 
vent prayers ascended heavenward. In the convent 
a distinguished company sat at table with Dr. Martin, 
at whose side Katharine, in wordless bliss, heard w T hat 
the guests had to say in praise of the newly-wedded 
pair. 

She was as one in a dream. She felt as though she 
were lifted from the condition of a servant to that of 
a queen, for he who sat beside her was a king indeed 
in the realms of thought ; his sovereignty being attest- 
ed alike by the praise of his friends and by the deadly 
hatred of his foes. And she, the humble maiden, was 
henceforth to stand nearer to this great man, than the 
most intimate of his friends — nearer than Melanch- 



90 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

thon, or Kranach, than Bugenhagen or Jonas^ She 
pressed her hand to her heart to still its beating, and 
the prayer rose from her soul : " Lord, help me, lest I 
grow proud. Keep me humble always. ' ' 

Notwithstanding the happiness which beamed from 
Luther's face, a certain restlessness was perceptible in 
his manner, and he whispered to Katharine : " Now I 
shall hope no longer. God has seen fit to deny me 
this wish, lest there be too much of joy." Katharine 
understood. 

Suddenly the student, John Pfister, who acled as 
cup bearer, announced that an aged couple stood with- 
out, who desired to see Dr. Martin. Luther ordered 
them to be brought in, and presently two old people, 
in the dress of the Mansfeld peasants, appeared at the 
door, where they paused, as if startled at the sight of so 
large a company. 

Luther had risen from his seat, and as he hastened 
toward them, the old woman stretched out her arms, 
and cried : " My son Martin ! " 

She sank upon her son's breast and wept aloud. 
Luther disengaged himself for a moment, to greet his 
father: "Dearest father, you are a thousand times 
welcome ! I have heartily desired to know, whether 
you have forgiven your disobedient son. God has led 
me by wondrous ways, and we must bless His name, 



THE MAIDEN. 9 1 



for whatsoever He begins, He carries out most glori- 
ously. ' ' 

He turned, and pointing to Katharine, who had 
come nearer, said : " Father, this is your daughter.'' 

The old man trembled, and lifting his clasped hands 
he exclaimed, " Now I will gladly die, since my eyes 
have seen this day. Martin, you are again my son in- 
deed, and old Hans Luther is a happy father. ' ' 

The wedding guests surrounded the old people, to 
whom the place of honor beside the bridal pair was 
assigned, and Dr. Martin said : 

" My happiness is now complete. I had asked this 
one thing of the Lord, that to-day I might see my 
dear parents face to face, and he has heard my prayer. 
This I accept as a special token of his favor, and will 
thank Him therefor as long as I live.' 1 



BOOK SECOND. 



KATHAKIKE YOE" BOEA; 



THE -WIIFIE. 



(93) 



THE WIFE. 



CHAPTER X. 

"AS SORROWING, YET ALWAYS REJOICING." 

It was the season, when summer gives place to au- 
tumn ; when the evenings grow long, and the lamps 
are lighted early. 

In his study, Dr. Martin was seated at his great oak- 
en table busily writing. A hanging lamp shed a pleas- 
ant light, and the stove of green tiles diffused a cheer- 
ful warmth. A brown spaniel lay curled up on the 
floor. On the wall near the book-shelves hung a hand- 
some clock in a tall, slender case of polished cedar- 
wood, whose long pendulum gravely measured the sec- 
onds. It had been a bridal gift from the Protestant 
Abbot Frederick, of Nuremberg. 

Beside her husband sat Katharine with her spinning 
wheel. She was dressed in a simple gown of black 
woollen stuff, and her hair was hidden under a white 
coif. From time to time her eyes turned with a lov- 
ing, reverent glance toward her husband. The silence 

(95) 



96 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

was unbroken, save by the scratching of Luther's pen, 
the humming of Katharine's wheel, and the crackling 
of the fire. 

Suddenly the spindle slipped and fell to the floor with 
a crash, which startled the Doctor out of his medita- 
tions. Katharine rose in dismay. ' ' Do not be an- 
gry, dearest Doctor, I will go elsewhere, lest my care- 
lessness disturb you." 

Luther looked up. " Not so, dear Kate. Have I 
not often told you that your presence is not a hin- 
drance, but rather a help to me ? I once imagined 
that a man who was unencumbered by a wife and by the 
cares of a household, could work with more profit. 
But I have learned to think differently. It seems as 
though my thoughts were freer, and my pen more rea- 
dy, when you are near me. Every day I thank my 
God for the good and faithful wife He has given me. 
As I expected, my enemies make more noise than 
ever, and I am a worse heretic, in consequence of my 
marriage, than when I touched the pope's crown and 
the monks' soft living. But I am of good cheer 
nevertheless. For if my marriage is God's work, 
small wonder that the world is offended at it. Is it 
not an offence to the world, that the Creator gave 
His life as a ransom for mankind ? If the world 
were my friend, I should fear that my work was not 
of God." 



THE WIFE. 97 



Katharine listened with increasing delight. "Ah, 
dearest Doctor, your speech makes my heart glad. 
When the evil-speakers attacked me, they caused me 
many a sleepless night. But my sorrow was ten times 
greater, when you for my sake experienced an increase 
of enmity. When you tell me that you rejoice at the 
world's displeasure, I too am comforted. If our ene- 
mies had eyes to see, they would cease to speak evil 
of us, and rather envy the calm and peaceful happiness 
which marriage has brought us." 

Luther laid down his pen and said : " Yes, dear 
wife, you speak truly. Marriage is a holy place, with 
an altar, upon which incense is continually burning. 
All the troubles of life grow light, when each bears 
the other's burdens. I have a pious, faithful wife, to 
whom I may safely entrust all I have, even my own 
life. And you, Kate, have a God-fearing husband, 
who loves you, and esteems you more highly, than the 
kingdom of France, or the principality of Venice. ' ' 

With a blush Katharine asked, as she bent over the 
table : " What are you writing, Doctor ?" 

Luther took up a sheet of paper: "See," he said, 
" these words are blows designed for a crowned head, 
— that of King Henry of England. Do not be alarm- 
ed, dear Kate, — Dr. Martin, whom he calls a "'mangy 
dog" and a "hellish wolf," will tell him what will 
7 



9^ KATHARINE VON BORA; 

subdue his lofty spirit. I had well-nigh forgotten what 
he wrote against me in 15 21, and silence would have 
been the fittest answer to such unkingly language ; but 
when, on the occasion of my marriage, he renewed his 
attacks in vile words, I could no longer keep silence. 
Would you hear what I have written ? ' ' 

As Katharine seemed eager to hear, he read aloud 
to her the first pages of his manuscript. 

She seemed much pleased. "Ah, Doctor, how 
softly you tread ! This pleases me well, and I would 
beg of you in future also to restrain your anger, for 
with calmness and deliberation one can deal more tell- 
ing blows, than with hasty words — and perhaps in 
the end win the enemy's good-will. ,, 

With a smile, the Doctor took his wife's hand. 
" I thank you for such words. Although a wo- 
man's duty does not lie in meddling with her hus- 
band's business, yet a man suffers no harm, if his wife 
exhorts him to peace and gentleness, and by her ex- 
ample induces him to make these virtues his own. I 
confess that I have often yielded to my anger, and 
have poured oil upon the flames, when perhaps with 
moderation and patience I might have quenched the 
fire. In this matter you shall be my taskmaster, and 
1 will thank God for the faithful friend he has given 
me in you." 



THE WIFE, 99 



Voices were heard outside, and presently Dorothy, 
the maid-servant, entered with a roll of paper. " A 
messenger stands without, who charged me to deliver 
this into Dr. Luther's hands.' ' 

Luther opened the roll and found therein letters 
from two Leipsic theologians — a Latin address to him- 
self, from Master Joachim von der Heyden, and a 
German one to Katharine, signed by Master John Ha- 
senberg, otherwise Myricianus. 

"See here," laughed Luther, "Katharine Luther 
has become a famous woman, since learned writings 
are addressed to her ! ' ' 

With mock solemnity he placed one of the papers 
in her hand. But he laughed no more, when he read 
the one directed to himself, and Katharine's face paled 
and flushed by turns, as she acquainted herself with 
the contents of the other. She was unable to finish. 
It seemed as though her heart must stop its beating, 
when Martin Luther, the object of her deepest ven- 
eration, was assailed in foul language, and the ad- 
vice was given her, to flee from his unholy presence, 
and return to the heavenly Bridegroom, with whom 
she had broken her faith. With pain and dread her 
eyes sought her husband's face, where a dark cloud 
was gathering, as he waded through a flood of abuse 
and slander. But the cloud soon disappeared, and 



ioo KATHARINE VON BORA; 

the old, cheerful calm took its place, as with a merry 
laugh he flung the letter on the table. Then he turn- 
ed to Katharine and said : " What have they written 
you, my dear wife ? I doubt not they have served you 
with the same dainty repast. Shall we follow their 
advice, take our staff, and return at once to the bosom 
of the all-saving church ? ' ' 

With a sad smile Katharine replied : " How can you 
jest? My heart is sorely troubled.' ' 

" Not so, dear Kate," Luther comforted her; "I 
am of good cheer ; for the more furiously the enemies 
rage and threaten, the more blessed seems the lot 
which God has granted me, and all their malice only 
serves to show me the more clearly the holiness of 
marriage. ' ' 

Here Wolfgang entered, and reported that the mes- 
senger was still waiting for his fee. Luther quickly 
thrust his hand into his pocket, and finding it empty, 
he unlocked a cabinet, and took out two golden flor- 
ins. 

" Truly, the man must needs have a rich reward, 
for helping me to such joy and contentment. Bring 
him in." 

When the man appeared, Luther tapped him on the 
shoulder and said kindly : " Dear friend, go home in 
peace, and tell those who sent you, that their letters 



THE WIFE, ioi 



have caused us much pleasure. You, as the bearer, 
take these two florins as your reward, together with 
the blessing of Dr. Martin and of Mistress Katharine, 
his wife." 

The man, in great embarrassment, was uncertain 
whether Luther were in jest or in earnest, and hesita- 
ted to accept the rich gift. But Luther's manner was 
irresistible, and with his friendly wishes for a safe jour- 
ney, the messenger took his departure. Then Luther 
turned to Katharine, who was still struggling with her 
feelings. " See, dear Kate, the Devil and the world 
would fain have you leave Dr. Martin. But the hard- 
er they press you, the more firmly I shall hold you ; 
for here alone is your abiding-place." 

Softly weeping, Katharine rested her head upon his 
breast. But her tears were no longer tears of sadness. 



CHAPTER XI. 

THE FAITHFUL ECKART. 

" Where may Hans be staying ? I hope he has not 
repented of his purpose ! " 

"Never fear, Eberhard, for it was he whose rage 
was fiercest against the last scoundrelly act of the her- 
etic ! Landlord, fill my cup ! " 

" And mine," cried a third voice. 

When the landlord had brought the wine, a young 
nobleman clattered into the room, much excited, and 
was received by his friends with a noisy welcome. 

They were in an inn near Wurtzen, that bore the 
sign of "the blue pike." A dim torch sputtered in 
the close, low room, and threw flickering lights upon 
the faces of the four men. Everything in the room 
was unclean ; the landlord himself, with his dirt-stain- 
ed jacket and grimy face, seemed a sworn foe to soap 
and water. It was doubtless long since he had enter- 
tained such noble guests, who seemed ill at ease in the 
filthy den. 

They were four young squires from the neighbor- 
hood, Hans von Soldau, Eberhard von Kriebitsch,, 

(102) 



THE WIFE. 103 



Wolf von Steinbach, and Joachim von Spergau, who 
had appointed this secret meeting at the "blue 
pike." 

"It is well that you come, Hans/' cried one of them 
to the belated conspirator, while the landlord receiv- 
ed an unmistakable hint to betake himself elsewhere. 

" Do not be angry, friends, that I come thus late," 
croaked Hans* von Soldau in a hoarse voice, as he 
seated himself. "I desired to make some further in- 
quiries ; for a rumor came to my ears, that fortune was 
favoring our design, and would shortly provide a con- 
venient opportunity for our revenge." 

"What is it?" exclaimed the others, starting from 
their seats. 

Hans lifted both hands. " Be quiet, and hear me. 
I first went to the priest and made confession of my 
purpose, that I might be able with greater courage and 
confidence to put my hand to the work. The rever- 
end father gave me his blessing, and promised me an 
abundant reward in Heaven. Yet he disapproves of 
open violence, lest we kindle a fresh fire, more dan- 
gerous than the peasants' war. We must act secretly, 
that none may know what has become of the heretic. ' ' 
He rose, and in a louder tone continued : " Friends, 
brothers ! We are in the same position and must there- 
fore hold together. Each one of us has seen his patri- 



104 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

mony lessened by the unwelcome return of a sister. 
Was it for this we urged our parents to place them in 
convents, that this infamous monk should open the 
doors for their escape ? Woe be to you, Luther ! At 
Nimptschen you succeeded, but it was to your own 
undoing that you stretched forth your ruthless hand 
toward Freiberg/ * 

In a fierce rage, Wolf von Steinbach struck upon the 
table and roared : "lam poorer by ten thousand flor- 
ins ! Luther, it is you whom I shall pay for it ! ' ' 

"I would gladly forego the beggarly inheritance," 
growled Eberhard von Kriebitsch, with an angry 
frown, " but I refuse to harbor that dragon, my step- 
sister, with whom I have quarreled since the days of 
my childhood ! " 

"Calm yourselves," urged Joachim von Spergau, 
" and let us learn what is the opportunity which for- 
tune throws into our way. ' ' 

Hans von Soldau drew his fingers through his flow- 
ing red beard, and related: "The Elector's court 
chaplain and private secretary, Spalatin, intends to be 
married on the 19th of November, and has invited Lu- 
ther to his wedding. About two hours ago, I acci- 
dentally met the messenger bearing Luther's answer to 
Altenburg. Tell me, friends, does not everything 
shape itself to our advantage. Ha, Luther, your last 



THE WIFE. 105 



bread will soon be baked ! " 

A deep silence followed his words. Hans stared 
fiercely at the conspirators, and exclaimed : " Cow- 
ards ! does your heart fail you ! Then I shall venture 
alone. " 

Joachim von Spergau, the most cautious of the band, 
replied in an injured tone : " Do not question our hon- 
or, Hans ! It is not cowardise, if we hesitate for a 
moment, before we consent to a deed of blood/ ' 

"It may possibly be accomplished without blood- 
shed/' explained Hans, in a milder tone. " My con- 
fessor knows a place where the heretic need not die, 
and yet will be dead to the world. If it should be- 
come necessary to dispatch him, you must now solemn- 
ly declare, whether you will lend a hand. If you 
shrink from the sight of blood, then go your way, and 
I alone will have the glory of ridding the world of 
this pestilent fellow. If you are minded to stand by 
me, lift up your hands, and swear." 

It evidently cost the others a violent effort, to bind 
themselves by an oath to a probable murder ; for this 
idea had not been entertained from the beginning. 
But the reproachful scorn, which flashed from Hans' 
eyes, drove them to a hasty resolve, and they took the 
oath. 

After the young squires had arranged the details of 



io6 KA THARINE VON B OR A ; 

the attack, they paid their reckoning, and mounting 
their horses, disappeared in the darkness. 



" Why are you so sad, dear Kate?" Luther asked 
his wife one day; "have you any trouble of body or 
mind, that you are hiding from me?" 

Katharine sighed. "A heavy weight lies upon my 
heart, and I know not what it means. There are fore- 
bodings, which one cannot explain, and yet they will 
not be driven away." 

" And what is your foreboding ? ' ' asked Luther with 
a smile. 

1 ' I fear that some great misfortune is awaiting us. ' ' 

Luther lifted his finger warningly : " You see ghosts 
where none exist. Do you not know, that such seeing 
is harmful — troubling our own heart, and also displea- 
sing the Lord God ? We should fear no evil, when 
God's angels are watching over us. Methinks your 
trouble is nothing more than the added burden of ca- 
ring for the three noble nuns, who have sought refuge 
with us. Do not let this fret you, nor grudge to the 
poor fugitives the shelter of our house, until the anger 
of their people is appeased." 

"You do me injustice, dear Doctor," interrupted 
Katharine. " I received them willingly, much rather 



THE WIFE. 107 



than the five monks from Thuringia, to whom, besides 
food and drink, you gave cloth for new jackets, and 
who afterwards broke into our house as thieves. No, 
dear Doctor, our nuns from Freiberg are most dear to 
me, and I will gladly share with them what I have, — 
and moreover the Elector yesterday sent a fresh load 
of corn, malt and wood. Yet their presence does 
cause me some uneasiness, especially that of the duch- 
ess Ursala von Mlinsterberg — who, being the niece of 
Duke George, your enemy, may indeed bring danger 
to our house.' ' 

" Be quiet, dear Kate/' said Luther, and commit 
yourself into the Lord's hands. What we are doing 
toward these unhappy women is a good deed, and well- 
pleasing to God, who will not permit us to come to 
harm for their sakes. If, nevertheless, we should suf- 
fer for this, remember that it is written : ' Blessed are 
ye, when men shall revile you and persecute you, for 
my sake.' " 

Kate was silent, and tried to banish her trouble- 
some thoughts, but her heart still refused to be si- 
lenced. 

On the following morning, after the morning pray- 
er, when the guests and servants had left the room, 
Katharine came to her husband with a serious face. 
" Dearest Doctor, — I have learned the cause of my 



108 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

fear. The Lord revealed it to me last night in dream. 
What is your opinion of dreams ? ' ' 

Luther replied: "The Scripture teaches us, that 
God has at various times made use of dreams, to reveal 
to men His thoughts, and to show them the things of 
the future, either for their instruction or warning. 
What was your dream ? ' ' 

"I saw you," answered Kate, "journeying in an 
open wagon to Altenburg, whither you were going to 
attend the wedding of your friend Spalatin. On the 
road, four men in armor sprang from an ambush, drag- 
ged you from the wagon, and struck at your head with 
their swords, that the blood gushed forth. Ursula von 
Miinsterberg, the nun, stood by and tore her hair. 
When I awoke, I was glad to find it but a dream. But 
when I slept again, behold, the dream returned, and 
showed me the same picture. Then I perceived that 
it was no delusion, but a warning from God, not to go 
upon this journey. Dear Doctor, I beg of you, for 
Christ's sake, stay at home — for if you go, I shall be 
consumed with fear for your safety." 

She clung to her husband's arm and looked at him 
with eyes full of piteous entreaty. Although her 
dreaming was little to his taste, yet he was moved by 
her distress. With a glance of tender love, he said 
gently : " I am sorry for my friend Spalatin, who will 



THE WIFE. 109 



be unwilling to forego my presence on the great day ; 
but I should be still more sorry for you, dear wife, if 
you were troubling yourself here at home, while I made 
merry in Altenburg. I will write to Spalatin, not to 
expect me." 

Followed by a grateful look from Katharine, Luther 
went to his study, and wrote his letter, which ran 
thus : 

"My Spalatin ! Gladly would I come to your wed- 
ding and rejoice with you and yours, were it not that 
an obstacle has arisen in the way, which I am unable 
to remove — namely, the tears of my Kate, who ima- 
gines that you ask of me nothing less, than to imperil 
my life. Her loving heart, warned by a two-fold 
dream, foresees danger to me, as though murderers 
were lying in wait for me on the road. It does not 
seem altogether improbable, it having come to my 
knowledge, that the recent escape of the nuns from the 
convent at Freiberg, has greatly incensed the nobles in 
Duke George's land. Although I know that I am 
everywhere in the hands of the Almighty, and that not 
a hair of my head can suffer harm, unless it be His 
will, yet my heart is moved to pity for my poor Kate, 
who would grieve herself half to death in my absence. 
You will therefore not be offended, if I am unable to 



no KATHARINE VON BORA; 

be present at your marriage, upon which I invoke 
God's richest blessing and peace. 

Martin Luther. 7 * 

"Wittenberg, on St. Martin' 's Day> 
November nth ijzj" 

The messenger who was to carry the letter to Alten- 
burg, received from Katharine an additional fee, and 
a flask of Frankish wine for his refreshment on the 
way. When she saw him disappear through the court 
yard gate, she breathed a deep sigh of relief, and a 
fervent, upturned glance bore her thanksgiving to the 
throne of God. 

Scarcely a fortnight had passed, when Luther re- 
ceived from Spalatin the following letter : 

" My dear Brother Martin : — Although I greatly re- 
gretted your absence on the day of my marriage, since 
your society is more precious to me than any other, 
yet now I rejoice, seeing that God's hand has inter- 
posed to preserve you from a great danger. It has 
been discovered, that four noblemen were lying in 
ambush, intending to make an end of you — since, in 
freeing their sisters from the convent, you have caused 
them temporal loss, inasmuch as it is now necessary to 
make provision for the maidens. One of them especial- 
ly, Hans von Soldau, is a fierce, lawless fellow, from 
whom any evil deed may be expected. Thank your 



THE WIFE. in 



dear Kate, dear friend, for under God's guidance she 
has proved your faithful Eckart. 

" God's grace be with you ! Spalatin." 

Deeply moved, Luther laid down the letter, and 
sought his wife, who was busy in the kitchen. To her 
surprise, he folded her in his arms, and kissing her on 
both cheeks, said tenderly : " My faithful Eckart.' ' 



CHAPTER XII. 

A NEW LIFE. 

" See, Wolfgang, how lustily our garden things are 
growing,' ' said Luther one sunny afternoon in June 
of 1526 to his amanuensis, the lame Wolfgang Sieber- 
ger, who came limping after him. " Here are the 
onions and radishes grown from seed my friend Langen 
sent me, and yonder the melons and cucumbers from 
Wenzel Link in Nuremberg. The roses from Alten- 
burg please me much ; the buds are ready to burst. 
How delighted Mistress Kate will be, when I bring 
her the first of our roses. But, Wolfgang, how comes 
it that your jacket is so soiled ? Have you been at 
work in the stable? Save your reputation, my 
learned famulus ! " 

Wolfgang brushed the straw from his sleeve, and 
answered with an important look : " Had I not helped 
we would be poorer by one sucking pig, which in 
its youthful frivolity wandered away and fell into a 
ditch." 

Luther laughed heartily: " Dr. Martin has indeed 
become a farmer, Mistress Kate a farmer's wife, and 

(112) 



THE WIFE. 113 



Master Wolfgang a farm-servant. I never dreamed 
that such honor and dignity would befall me. When 
I return from my pulpit or lecture-hall, and enter the 
court, where in former times a solemn silence reigned, I 
am greeted on all sides by such a cackling and grunting 
and bleating, that my heart fails me, when I think of 
all the pious monks and abbots, who are sleeping their 
last sleep here below. What would they say to such 
deafening noises in this sacred spot ? If I would walk 
in the garden, and enjoy the fragrance of the flowers, 
suddenly a swarm of bees flies buzzing about my head, 
and I have learned, to my sorrow, how sharp a sword 
they carry. The convent is alive with human beings — 
almost too many, methinks. In the end it will be 
needful that I buy a horse of Abraham the Jew, and 
myself follow the plough. ' ' 

Wolfgang listened with a smile and shook his head : 
" Reverend Doctor, you jest about the busy life in 
your house, and yet you owe thanks to those who have 
brought it about ; for without it, you would fare ill, 
and so forth.' ' 

"What do you mean, Wolf? " asked Luther. 

" What do I mean?" said Wolfgang, limping a few 

steps nearer. " My meaning can be made clear to you 

without figures, and so forth. What is the amount of 

the salary paid you by the Eledlor since your mar- 

8 



H4 KA THARINE VON B OR A ; 

riage? Two hundred florins. How much have we 
spent during the past year ? Nearly five hundred flo- 
rins, including the three silver drinking cups." 

" Wolf," exclaimed Luther, " that is a strange reck- 
oning.' ' 

"It is correct,'' continued Wolfgang, with growing 
excitement, " for according to your directions I have 
kept the book's, and so forth. If you will remember, 
how many guests have sat at your table during the 
year, how many poor students have been fed daily, 
how many monks, and nuns, and others, have eaten of 
your substance, not to mention the gifts which your 
boundless generosity has scattered with open hands — 
if you will take this into consideration, and so forth, 
you will perceive that two hundred florins cannot last 
the year. Your purse is ever open, and everybody's 
hand is in it. Truly, you had been a beggar, and in 
a debtor's prison, and so forth, had not Mistress Luther 
managed so wisely, and had she not been careful to 
turn everything to profit, and so forth. I regard the 
Mistress with deep reverence, for with all her gentle- 
ness she has a clear and courageous spirit, and although 
so many burdens rest upon her, she never grows wea- 
ry, but has at all times a cheerful heart, and guides her 
household with a firm and skillful hand, and so forth. 
But all this farm-yard business would not be needed, 



THE WIFE. 115 



if the reverend Doctor would but consent to receive 
pay for his services to the University. Still larger 
sums would you gather, if you accepted what the prin- 
ters offer for your books, and especially for the trans- 
lation of the Holy Scriptures. You would soon be a 
veritable Croesus, and relieved of all care concerning 
temporal things.' ' 

Luther made an impatient gesture. " His brows were 
raised, so that his eyes seemed larger than usual, and 
flashed with an angry light. " Are you again harping 
on the old tune, Wolfgang ? It is an offence to me. 
Have I not told you, again and again, that I will not 
sell the Word of God for money ? I will not bear the 
shame before my friends and the world, that it should 
be said of me : He has preached the Gospel for filthy 
lucre's sake, that he might heap up riches and fare 
sumptuously every day. ' Freely ye have received, 
freely give/ saith the Lord. Did not the Man who 
died for me let it cost Him dearly enough? Then I 
too will dedicate my life to my work, neither will I 
accept the world's reward." 

Wolfgang, who stood upon a very friendly footing 
with the Doctor, here ventured to interrupt him : 
" Well said, Herr Doctor ; but even though for your own 
person you desire nothing, and despise the treasures 
of this earth, — yet are you not bound to provide for 



n6 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

those who are dependent upon you, and to secure 
their future, by laying aside what will keep them from 
want?" 

"That I shall never -do," replied Luther, with de- 
cision. " Otherwise they would put their trust not in 
God, but in their possessions, and to them their hearts 
would cling." 

Shaking his head, Wolfgang turned, and slowly 
walked across the court, soliloquizing as he went : " A 
wonderful man, the Doctor, and so forth ! How great 
and lofty is his spirit, and how pitiable seems one of 
us beside him. Such a man I never saw. He pleads 
for others, that a stone would be moved to pity, but 
for himself he asks nothing, although he needs it sore- 
ly. How many have, through his intercession, ob- 
tained favor from the Elector ; yet he opposes those 
who would report his own needs. If he accepts a 
gift even from his nearest friend, it is only after 
much persuasion, and for the sake of sharing it with 
others. Thus he disposed of the two hundred florins 
sent him recently by his grace, the Elector, and of the 
hundred florins sent him by an unknown person, 
through Bugenhagen. I remember with sorrow the 
fine roebuck from the Elector's forest. It would have 
furnished us meat for three or four days, but the Doc- 
tor must needs invite so many friends, that they quick- 



THE WIFE. 117 



ly made an end of it. I grieve for the costly flagon 
of glass and tin, a wedding gift from our gracious lord, 
which is about to follow the rest, being destined for 
the Pastor Agricola in Eisleben ; because, forsooth, he 
expressed his admiration of it. I heard the Doctor 
whisper to his guest: "I will send it before another 
gets it, for my Kate would fain keep it for herself, 
to feast her eyes upon it. ' I was secretly glad, when 
he could not find the flagon, in time for Agricola' s 
birthday, for in the meantime Mistress Kate had hid- 
den it away. But what shall it avail her ? As I saw 
with my own eyes, the Doctor wrote to Eisleben, that 
for the present he was unable to keep his promise, 
which he greatly regretted, but he hoped soon to 
get the flagon into his possession. — My dear Doctor is 
not to be measured by the standard of ordinary mor- 
tals, and so forth. Therefore it may be regarded as a 
wise providence of God, that such a helpmeet was giv- 
en him, who, by her housewifely virtues, her thrift, her 
industry, foresight and experience, can sustain her 
household with small means. It is the Doctor's good 
fortune, that his wife is of a different nature from him- 
self, thus producing a pleasant harmony between the 
two, and so forth." 

The worthy Wolfgang, at the end of his soliloquy, 
found himself at the door of the stable, where stood 



n8 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

his lathe, and where the Doctor, when his mind was 
wearied with study, often helped him at his work. He 
heard footsteps behind him, and turning, saw Luther 
coming toward him. 

"Let us turn the lathe, dear Wolf/ ' said Luther, 
"and test the new tools which my friend Link sent 
me from Nuremberg. I am ill-disposed for other 
work. My breast is sorely oppressed, and my breath- 
ing is difficult." 

Wolfgang brought out the tools and they set to work. 
Before many minutes had passed, a maid-servant rush- 
ed from the house. Her face was flushed, and tears 
were in her eyes. " Herr Doctor !" she exclaimed, 
"Herr Doctor." 

Luther looked up from his work. "What is it, 
Dorothy ? ' ' and a sudden flush rose to his face. Lu- 
ther understood the gestures of the excited girl, and 
hurrying across the court, he soon stood by the bedside 
of his faithful wife, who had brought him a precious gift. 
He lay there, gazing upon his father with great clear 
eyes, — a strong, handsome boy. But an hour ago, 
Katharine was walking in the garden, and now God 
had given her her firstborn son. 

In the joy of his overflowing heart, Luther took the 
child into his arms, looked into its eyes, and caressed 
it. "O thou dear, heavenly Father," he exclaimed, 



THE WIFE. 119 



"how has poor brother Martin deserved so great a 
blessing ! Behold this is pure, unmerited grace, 
and humbles me to the dust, so that I could weep. — 
My dear child, thou art most heartily welcome. My 
heart already beats with love toward thee, who hast 
yet done nothing to call it forth. Now I can under- 
stand how God's love toward us poor creatures fore- 
stalls our love. He does not wait until we come to 
Him and bring Him our love, but He comes to us. — 
My child, thy name shall be John, that, as often as I 
call thee, I may remember God's mercy, which this 
day has visited our house. For thy grandfather's sake 
also, thou shalt bear his name. I can see in the spirit 
how his dim eyes will brighten at the tidings of thy 
birth, and his withered lips will glorify the name of the 
Lord." Turning to his wife, he said: "My dear 
Kate, you have made me very rich, and are daily kind- 
ling a warmer love within my heart. I would gladly 
give my life for you, if there were need. — But now I 
will hasten and call a clergyman, that this poor little 
heathen be made a Christian." 

He reached after his cloak and hat, and left the 
house. An hour later, at four o'clock, the child was 
baptized by the Chaplain, George Roerer, — Kranach, 
Bugenhagen, and Jonas acting as sponsors. The cus- 
tom of the time demanded that a child be baptized 



1 20 KA THARINE VON B OR A ; 

immediately after its birth. 

With the child, a new life entered into Luther's 
house. A child is a tie which binds even closer those 
who were joined together before the altar, and is a visi- 
ble reminder, that these two are pledged to insepara- 
ble companionship. Although Luther had always 
loved and esteemed his wife, a new tenderness now 
seemed to warm his heart. Katharine did not fail to 
perceive this increase of love, and holding her child 
in her arms, she often whispered, with moist eyes : 
"Thou sweet child! thy mother owes thee hearty 
thanks, for thou hast brought a great blessing into the 
house." 

A lively competition soon arose between Katharine 
and her cousin, "Aunt Lena," whom Luther had 
received into his family after her escape from the con- 
vent, both claiming the first right to the care of the 
child, — Kate, because she was its mother, and the 
older woman because of her gratitude to those who 
had taken pity on her helpless condition. Whosoever 
saw Dr. Martin playing with his little Hans, asked 
himself, if this were indeed the man who had shaken 
the world to its very foundations ; whose name was on 
the lips of every Christian — the hero of Worms, the 
prophet of the Most High ? The man before whom 
kings and princes bowed, and whom the pope, together 



THE WIFE. 121 



with his bishops, feared, more than the Grand Turk 
himself? How could this great man become a child 
again, and speak in words that a child might under- 
stand ? Verily, an able and learned master was he, un- 
derstanding not only the tongue of the ancient Israel- 
ites, and of the Greeks and Romans, but speaking withal 
the language of childhood in such a fluent manner, that 
it was a delight to hear him. Whence did he take the 
time, burdened as he was with cares of weightiest im- 
port, to play with his child and to watch his growth ? 
In letters to his friends he had much to tell of his lit- 
tle Hans, of his first tooth, his first steps, and his baby 
prattle. — Many an one who calls himself a scholar, sits 
buried among his books, which are to him as children, 
devoting to them his whole strength, his time and his 
heart, while in the nursery yonder the patient mother 
toils for and with her living children. It seems too 
small a matter, to descend from the heights of spiritu- 
al life to the beginnings of human development. Mar- 
tin Luther was a scholar, before whose learning many 
an one, who thinks he has mastered much wisdom, 
must hide his head. But he was far more, — being a 
man of a universal grasp of mind ; a genius, — great in 
whatever position he filled ; great, even, when he de- 
scended to small things. 

There has been preserved to us a letter, written by 



122 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

Luther in the year 1530, from the Castle of Coburg, 
to his four year old son, which is a jewel of education- 
al wisdom, and a fitting example of the great man's 
skill in the language of childhood. 

" Grace and Peace in Christ, my dear little son ! 
I am well pleased to hear that thou learnest well thy 
lessons and prayest diligently. Continue to do so, 
my son, and when I come home, I will bring thee a 
fine "fairing." I know of a lovely, gay garden, 
wherein are many children, wearing golden coats, who 
gather from under the trees sweet apples, pears, cher- 
ries and plums. They sing, dance and are merry, and 
have pretty little horses, with saddles of silver and bri- 
dles of gold. I asked the master of the garden, whose 
were these children ? He said : These are the chil- 
dren who love to pray and learn their lessons, and 
who are good. Then said I : Dear man, I too have a 
little son, whose name is Hans Luther. Might not he 
also come into this garden, and eat of these beautiful 
apples and pears, ride upon these fine horses, and play 
with these children ? Said the man : If he willingly 
prays and learns, and is good, he may come into the 
garden, and Lippus 1 and Jost 2 with him. And when 
they are all together, they shall have pipes, drums, 
lutes, and all sorts of stringed instruments ; and they 

(1.) Melanchthon's son Philip. (2.) Jonas' son Justus. 



THE WIFE. 123 



shall dance, and shoot with little cross bows. And 
he showed me a smooth lawn in the garden, prepared 
for dancing; there hung pipes of pure gold, drums 
and silver cross-bows. But it was still very early, and 
the children had not yet dined, therefore I could not 
wait for the dance. I said to the man : Dear sir, I 
will forthwith go, and write these things to my dear 
son Hans, and tell him to pray diligently, learn well 
and be good, that he too may come into this garden. 
But he has an Aunt Lena, whom he must bring with 
him. The man said : So it shall be. Go and write 
him, as you have said. Therefore, my dear little son, 
pray and learn cheerfully, and tell Lips and Jost to do 
the same, that you may together come into the garden. 
And herewith I commit you to the dear Lord's keep- 
ing. Greet Aunt Lena, and give her a kiss from me. 
' ' Your loving father, Martin Luther. ' ' 

Thus he wrote, when in the Castle of Coburg, 
strengthened he with his prayers and his counsel the 
hearts of his friends, who appeared at the Diet of 
Augsburg, before the Emperor and the assembled dig- 
nitaries of the Empire, to confess the Protestant faith, 
and to obtain for the Reformation the recognition of 
its rights. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

"AS DYING, AND, BEHOLD, WE LIVE." 

In the early dawn of a hot summer's day — the 6th 
of July, 1527 — a woman hurried through the streets 
of Wittenberg, and knocked at the door of the town- 
preacher, Bugenhagen. With anxious haste she en- 
tered the study of the reverend gentleman. 

"Dear Doctor, I beg of you, for Christ's sake, 
come with me \ my dear husband is in great anguish, 
and I am sorely troubled. Perhaps you may be better 
able, than I, to comfort him." 

Bugenhagen, greatly alarmed, inquired more par- 
ticularly into the condition of his friend. 

Mistress Katharine, still panting from her hurried 
walk — for the sick man was no other than Dr. Martin 
Luther — replied: "His head is confused, and fright- 
ful visions arise before him. He imagines that the 
Devil is besetting him, who seeks to put him to shame, 
and to destroy the work of his life. Although I have 
endeavored to soothe him with loving words, he seems 
not to hear me, and refuses food and drink. In Jan- 
uary he suffered in a like manner, but a tea of herbs 

(124) 



THE WIFE, 125 



restored him. This time my simple remedies have 
been without effect." 

Bugenhagen listened with painful interest. " Do 
no not despair, dear Mistress Luther," he said; " it 
is not the Devil who is at work, but his sluggish blood, 
which rises to his head and produces these illusions. 
I can easily explain the cause. His body is taking its 
revenge for the sins committed against it, when in the 
convent, out of ignorance, and from mistaken piety, 
he undermined his health with watching, fasting and 
otherwise mortifying the flesh. He sits too closely 
over his books, denies himself the needed recreation, 
and tortures his brain with overmuch study and thought. 
The world's enmity against the truth causes him much 
sorrow ; the miserable peasants' war has grieved his 
generous spirit, and the dispute with the Swiss sacra- 
mentarians is not yet ended. All these things have 
given him many sad hours. But with God's help, it 
will pass over. I will go with you, and do what I 
can." 

They at once repaired to the convent. The ser- 
vants stood about, in anxious fear, and regarded with 
dismay the town-preacher, who was also Luther's 
confessor. 

Bugenhagen found the sick man reclining in a chair, 
his arms hanging listlessly at his side. His friendly 



126 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

greeting was received with a dreary smile. 

" You are heartily welcome, dear Bugenhagen. I 
longed to see you, that I might unburden my heart, 
and receive absolution. Behold, whatsoever sins I 
have committed during my life, in thought, word and 
deed, rest like a weight upon my soul, and I pray 
God, for Christ's sake, to have mercy on a poor sin- 
ner. Dear Bugenhagen, give me God's assurance that 
I shall find grace with the ever-living Father of mer- 
cies.' ' 

Deeply moved, Bugenhagen gave him absolution, 
and then inquired into the nature of his malady. 

"Dear Dr. Gommer," Luther replied, "the tor- 
ments which are now besetting me remind me of St. 
Paul, when he was buffeted by the messengers of Sa- 
tan ; for such ills there seems to be no natural cause. 
Because I am usually of a cheerful countenance, many 
think that my path is strewn with roses ; but God 
knows how it is with me." 

Bugenhagen repeated the arguments, with which he 
had sought to reassure Mistress Kate, but they made 
little impression on the sick man. 

Bugenhagen then reminded Luther of the invitation 
they had both received, to breakfast with the Elector's 
marshal, Hans Loser. "The society of these men, 
and the fresh air will do you good. I pray you, Mar- 



THE WIFE, 127 



tin, rouse yourself." Katharine's eloquence was add- 
ed to that of Bugenhagen, and finally Luther yielded 
to their united persuasions. 

At the inn, where the breakfast was served, a 
chosen company was assembled. Luther ate little, 
but forced himself to join in the conversation. At 
noon he left quietly, and went to his friend Justus 
Jonas, the provost of All Saints' School. He sat 
for two hours, pouring out his heart to his friend, 
for Jonas was a man ©f wise counsel and loving sym- 
pathy. Before leaving, Luther invited his friend to 
visit him in the evening. When Jonas arrived at the 
appointed time, he found the Doctor lying on his bed, 
complaining of great weakness, and a constant rush- 
ing and singing in his left ear. Feeling a sudden 
faintness, Luther called for water, which Jonas brought 
and dashed into his face, This seemed to revive the 
sufferer. He lay back among the pillows, with wide 
open eyes. But suddenly his face changed ; his body 
grew cold, and shook as in an ague fit. With difficul- 
ty he folded his hands, and a fervent prayer rose from 
his lips : 

"My God, if thou hast ordained this to be my 
last hour, I submit myself to Thy Will. O Lord, re- 
buke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in 
thy hot displeasure. Have mercy up m me, O Lord ; 



128 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

for I am weak : O Lord, heal me ; for my bones are 
vexed. My soul is also sore vexed : But Thou, O 
Lord, how long ? Return, Lord, deliver my soul : 
Oh save me, for Thy mercy's sake. For in death 
there is no remembrance of Thee : in the grave who 
shall give thee thanks ? I am weary with my groan- 
ing j all the night make I my bed to swim ; I water 
my couch with my tears. Mine eye is consumed be- 
cause of grief; it waxeth old, because of all mine 
enemies. Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity, 
for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. 
The Lord hath heard my supplication ; the Lord will 
receive my prayer. Let all mine enemies be ashamed 
and sore vexed : let them return and be ashamed sud- 
denly. Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in 
all generations. Amen." 

While he was praying, Katharine had entered the 
room, bringing with her Augustin Schurf, the family 
physician, who at once ordered the patient to be 
wrapped in heated cloths. Luther seemed to observe 
nothing of what was passing. His thoughts were with 
God, and his eyes were turned heavenward. Again 
he prayed, and all folded their hands in tearful rev- 
erence : 

"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is 
thy victory ? Thanks be to God, which giveth us the 



THE WIFE. 129 



victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I lay me down 
in peace and sleep ; for Thou, Lord, only makest me 
dwell in safety. Lord Jesus Christ receive my spirit. 
I take refuge in Thy wounds ; Thy righteousness up- 
holds me, — Thou art our only Mediator and High 
Priest, who bearest the sins of the world. Dear Lord, 
Thou hast not counted Thy servant worthy, after the 
manner of the blessed martyrs, to shed his blood for 
Thee ; yet will I take comfort in the example of St. 
John, to whom also this boon was denied, albeit he 
wrote a book against the Antichrist, far more ef 
fective than any book of mine !" 

Turning to his friends, he continued : " Dear, faith- 
ful friends ; lest after my death the world should say I 
had recanted, I ask you to witness this my confession. 
I declare, with a clear conscience, that I have taught 
none but the true and wholesome doctrine, concerning 
faith, love, the cross, the sacraments, and other arti- 
cles of the Christian religion, according to God's 
Word and at His command, Who alone has guided 
me in this matter, and has drawn and urged me for- 
ward, without any will of mine. I testify to those 
who have reproached me with too great sharpness 
against the papists and fanatics, that I have experi- 
enced no remorse in the matter, having never sought 
any man's hurt, but rather the conversion and salva- 
9 



1 30 KA THARINE VON BORA ; 

tion of my enemies. I would fain abide a little lon- 
ger, inasmuch as many a word still remains to be said 
against the fanatics and the Sacramentarians. But 
God's Will be done. Christ is stronger than Belial, 
and can raise up servants out of stones, who will fight 
in His Name." 

His eyes then sought his wife, who stood apart from 
the others, weeping bitterly. He beckoned her to 
come nearer, took her hand and said : " Dearest Kate, 
I pray you, if the dear Lord take me from hence, that 
you submit to His gracious Will. You are my true 
and lawful wife. Of that you shall have no doubt, — 
let the blind world say what it will. Be guided by 
the Word of God ; cling to that, and you will have a 
never-failing support against the Devil and all evil 
tongues." 

He lay back ; his breath came hard, like that of a 
dying man. Then he turned and asked : "Where is 
my dear little son Hans ?' ■ 

The child was brought, and greeted his sick father 
with a smile. Tenderly the cold hand caressed his 
warm, rosy cheeks, and the pallid lips pronounced a 
father's blessing: "O thou poor child! I commit 
my dear wife and my fatherless child into the hands 
of my loving, faithful God. You have nothing, for I 
leave you no earthly goods ; but God has enough for all. 



THE WIFE. 13 1 



Dear Lord, I thank Thee from my heart, that it hath 
pleased Thee to make me poor in worldly things ; I 
can therefor leave to my wife and child neither house 
nor land, neither money nor goods. As Thou gavest 
me them, so I return them to Thee. Thou rich and 
faithful God, do Thou sustain, teach, and provide for 
them, even as thou didst sustain, teach and provide 
for me, O Thou Father of the fatherless, Thou Friend 
of the widow." 

Katharine's heart was wruug with grief. God, in 
his unsearchable wisdom, was laying a heavy sorrow 
upon her. For two years she had enjoyed the bless- 
edness of her union with this man ; henceforth she and 
her child must stand alone, poor and defenceless ; de- 
pendent upon the uncertain favor of human friendship \ 
exposed to the scorn and hatred of enemies, who would 
make the living feel the insults they might no lon- 
ger heap upon the dead ! — When she thought of her- 
self and the child, her heart seemed well-nigh break- 
ing ; but when she looked at her husband, and heard 
his prayer in her behalf, strength was given her, to en- 
dure in silence, and even to speak words of comfort to 
the sufferer. Bending over him, she said gently: 
"My dearest Doctor, if it be God's Will, I would 
rather you were with Him, than with me. I grieve 
not for myself and for my child only, but for the many 



132 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

good Christian people, who still have need of you. 
Do not, my dearest husband, trouble yourself about 
me. I commend you to God's holy Will, and hope 
and trust that He will graciously spare you. ' ' 

It seemed as though her words inspired the others 
with renewed courage. The physician, who had given 
up all hope, ordered the cold limbs to be again warm- 
ed and rubbed. Love and friendship labored faithful- 
ly to restore the precious life, and prayer after prayer 
rose to heaven. 

Then came the merciful answer: "Behold, he shall 
not die, but live !" It seemed like a miracle when the 
color returned to the pallid face, and the drops of 
moisture which appeared on the sick man's forehead 
seemed like dew from Heaven. 

The physician exclaimed : " He lives ! He lives ! " 
As one intoxicated by the sudden change from despair 
to hope, the loving wife fell at the feet of him to whom 
God had revealed the means of preserving her hus- 
band's life. 



His life was out of danger, but his soul — as he said 
— was still tossed to and fro between Christ and Be- 
lial, and miserably bruised. He supposed that he 
would all his life long be compelled to wade through 



THE WIFE. 133 



deep waters of tribulation, but would gladly submit, 
if it contributed to the glory of his God and Saviour. 

Then God sent him an angel of consolation, which 
to others was an angel of terror. That which cast 
them down, raised up Dr. Martin. That which shook 
the faith of strong men, and drove them to despair, 
restored to him the vigor of his faith and his heroic 
trust in the living God. 

He that sits upon the pale horse rode in at the gates 

of Wittenberg, holding in his hand the naked sword, 

to which all living things must succumb. It was that 

terror of terrors — the plague. 
« 
The citizens were panic-stricken, and a stubborn 

fatalism seemed to seize upon their minds. The 
Elector's command came from Torgau to the Univer- 
sity: "Let teachers and students leave Wittenberg, 
and seek safety in Jena ! " In the Augustinian Con- 
vent sat the foremost among the teachers of the Uni- 
versity, and in holy defiance replied to the Elector's 
anxious demand : " I shall remain ; I dare not go ! " 
Another urgent request came to him from his sover- 
eign, but his answer was the same : " I shall remain ; 
I dare not go." 

Fear, that most effective ally of the plague, had ta- 
ken possession of the people. But Luther was unac- 
quainted with fear. In his ears rang the Saviour's 



134 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

words: "The good shepherd giveth his life for his 
sheep. But he that is an hireling seeth the wolf com- 
ing, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth. ' ' With Bugen- 
hagen and Roerer, who had also remained, he visited 
the plague-stricken houses, bringing help to the living 
and consolation to the dying. Many died in his 
arms, breathing pestilence into his face, — but he seem- 
ed steeled against contagion, guarded by his fidelity 
to his people and by his trust in God. And behold, 
the more lavishly the strength of his body was con- 
sumed in this loving service, the more abundantly 
streamed into his soul a new, God-given vigor. The 
shadows of melancholy vanished, the Devil's hold was 
loosed, — and clear in the heaven of his inner world 
shone his spiritual sun, Jesus Christ. 

God enabled him, in many instances, to wrest from 
death its prey. With all the might of his influence he 
combated the false fears of the people, and directed 
them to seek help from God. He reassured the timid, 
and revived their sinking faith. He rebuked the fool- 
hardy, who tempted God by refusing the necessary 
remedies. He battled with the superstitious notion 
that persons were cured by transmitting the disease to 
others, and thundered in holy indignation against such 
as in fiendish malice, forced their way into houses as 
yet uninfected. 



THE WIFE. 135 



Of his own danger he took no thought ; nor that his 
precious life must be preserved to the Church. All 
his life long he had left the disposal of his affairs with 
God ; with the same calm trustfulness he placed his 
life in the Father's hands, and his countenance wore 
the same peaceful serenity in the chambers of the 
dying, as it had formerly worn in the pulpit or lecture 
hall. 

Not content with assuming the duties of pastor and 
physician among the sick, he wrote the Protestants in 
Halle a letter of condolence upon the death of Wink- 
ler, a preacher of the Gospel, who had been assassina- 
ted by the Romanists. He worked at his exposition 
of the prophet Zechariah, and made the necessary pre- 
parations for the approaching parish-visitation. 

Thus he remained at his post, in unshaken fidelity, 
— as a good shepherd of the flock committed to his 
care. Silent and ashamed, his enemies beheld him en- 
forcing his doctrine with his life. 

Beside him, full of heroic courage, stood the wife 
whom God had given him. Ministering with the ten- 
derest devotion to his wants, she assisted him in his 
labors among the sick, and with ready kindness open- 
ed her doors to all who came to her for help. The 
physician Schurf, with his family, had taken refuge in 
Luther's house. His wife fell ill, and plague spots ap- 



136 KA THARINE VON BORA ; 

peared on her body. Margaret von Mochau, another 
member of Luther's household, fell sick. Unmindful 
of herself, Katharine nursed the sufferers, receiving 
strength from on high for the fulfilling of her Samari- 
tan's work. 

Then came news of the death of a dear friend, the 
young wife of the Chaplain Roerer, who, with her new- 
born child, fell a prey to the plague. Katharine's 
heart failed her at this fresh blow. Even Luther be- 
gan to despair, and the storm of new trials threatened 
to overthrow the strong man. Bugenhagen, who, 
with his family, had moved into Luther's house, sought 
in vain to comfort his friend. Luther saw his wife 
growing daily weaker, and his little son Hans was be- 
ginning to droop. 

But behold, God knew better than men, how to 
raise up the sinking hearts. On the 10th of De- 
cember, Dr. Martin stood by the bedside of his be- 
loved wife, giving thanks for the mother's life, and 
for the new life that had entered their house. Hold- 
ing a new-born child in his arms, he bent down to 
little Hans and said : " See, Hans, God has given you 
a little sister ! " 

The Winter's storms scattered the last germs of the 
pestilence. The survivors breathed freely, and gave 
thanks for their deliverance, and by April the fugi- 



THE WIFE. J 37 



tives returned. Luther and his wife prayed : 

"Thou art the God that doest wonders; Thou hast 
made known thy power and goodness towards us. In 
many a household, the members have been made less, 
but in ours there is one more." 

Luther wrote to his friend, Justus Jonas: "The 
dear Lord has given me a daughter, my sweet, little 
Elizabeth, and has relieved me of all anxiety concern- 
ing my wife. The pestilence entered our house, but 
the Lord spared us. The plague took our pigs in- 
stead, of which five have fallen. I am happy, and 
thank the Lord, that the angel of death was content 
with such inferior prey. The plague is now dead and 
buried. 7 ' 

The returning friends flocked to his house, to con- 
vince themselves that the man of God still lived. 
They had left him bowed down and oppressed with 
care. They found him cured and, inspired with new 
strength, as with glowing eyes he welcomed them: 
"As dying, and, behold, we live." 



CHAPTER XIV. 

BEREAVED, AND COMFORTED. 

At a short distance from Wittenberg, near the Easter 
gate, a well is shown to this day, called Luther's 
Well, it having been discovered and opened by Luth- 
ther in the year 1520. The miner's son had a sure 
instinct for all minerals and treasures hidden in the 
earth. 

Near this well, among the trees, and within hearing 
of the rushing waters of the Elbe, Luther in the year 
1526 built himself a summer-house, which Katharine's 
skillful hand beautified and furnished most convenient- 
ly. It was a pleasant spot and Mistress Luther was 
rewarded for her pains by frequent visits from her 
friends. In this peaceful retreat Luther loved to gath- 
er around him his friends, Melanchthon, Cruciger and 
Auerhahr, and with them work at the translation of 
the New Testament. Here the fourth chapter accor- 
ding to St. John, telling of Jacob's Well, was com- 
pleted. 

It was a warm, sunny May-day in the year 1528. 
The Spring sunshine had caused the tender leaves to 

(138) 



THE WIFE. 139 



burst their buds; the garden flowers vied with the 
wild flowers in furnishing sweet food to the bees and 
butterflies; even the farmers' plough horses neighed 
with delight. 

In the summer house near the Elster-gate, sat Dr. 
Martin with his lute. The Spring-time had seized 
upon his heart, for when all nature is singing for joy, 
Dr. Martin cannot keep silence. Beside him sat Mis- 
tress Katharine, with her baby in her arms, lost in 
happy dreams, — now listening to the notes of the 
lute, now resting her eyes upon the lovely landscape. 
When the Doctor, changing from his free, fresh im- 
provisation, played the air which he had com- 
posed especially for his little son Hans, Katharine 
hummed the tune, while Hans, who was playing on 
the floor with a wooden horse, looked up attentively, 
for he knew well that it was his song. 

The child was now two years old, a blooming, vig- 
orous boy, and already sufficiently master of his moth- 
er tongue, to make his wants known. The wooden 
horse, a product of Wolfgang's lathe, was his favorite 
toy, his childish imagination investing it with all the 
qualities of the living animal. It was lodged in a 
stall, built in a corner of the room, was each night 
provided with hay and straw, and in times of sickness 
neither medicine nor care were wanting. 



140 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

With heartfelt pleasure the parents' eyes rested 
upon their first-born, and Katharine said to her hus- 
band : "If God gives grace, Hans will be the joy 
and comfort of our old age." Glancing at the child 
in her arms, she continued, with a troubled face : — 
"But when I look at our sweet little Elizabeth, I am 
mindful of the Apostle's admonition, — to have as 
though we had not. She is the child of my fears, born 
amid fears, and nurtured in fear to this present time. 
See, how pale is the little face, and how deep the 
shadows under her eyes. 

Luther leaned over and stroked the little hand : 
"Dear wife, the Apostle's word applies not only to a 
feeble child, — we should possess all our children, as 
though we possessed them not. The Lord has but 
lent them to us, and claims them again, when it pleas- 
es Him." 

A look of deep sorrow clouded Katharine's face : 
"Doubtless you are right, dearest Doctor; yet it is 
better to see them come than go, and if we were 
forced to yield up one of them, I believe my heart 
would break. Ah my little Elizabeth, my darling 
child — ' ' She pressed her lips to her pale, little face, 
and hot tears gushed from her eyes. The Doctor felt 
his own growing moist, and was glad to see his friends, 
Melanchthon, with Master Reichenbach and his wife, 
coming towards their house. 



THE WIFE. 141 



"We thought/' cried Mistress Elsa, "that we must 
seek you here, as we failed to find you at home. How 
lovely is this Spring day. ' ' 

Frau Elsa sat down beside Katharine, and the men 
with Dr. Martin. 

"You have a fine scent, my friends/ ' he began, 
" that has betrayed to you, what his grace the Elector, 
has sent me. I, for my part, can boast of a true pro- 
phetic instinct, which told me that some of my friends 
would seek me out to-day. Therefore I have caused 
the gift to be brought out here. ' ' He pointed to a 
corner, where lay a small cask : beside it stood a large 
earthen jug. "It is said to be choice Spanish wine, 
for Dr. Martin's refreshment." 

" He is a kindly gentleman, our Elector/' returned 
Reichenbach. "But you, dear Doctor, must follow 
his advice, and yourself drink the wine, that was sent 
for your refreshment." 

Luther was already filling the jug from the cask. 
" What would you have, dear Reichenbach? Would 
the wine refresh me, if I drank it alone? Just as 
divided joy is double joy, so, to me, divided wine is 
double wine." 

He brought the jug to the syndic. When the latter 
still refused, Melanchthon said, with a significant 
glance: "Take it, Reichenbach; the Doctor is now 



142 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

forty-five years old. We cannot change his nature in 
these matters." 

The wine was passed around, and in the intercourse 
with his beloved friends, Luther's inborn happy hu- 
mor burst forth with irresistible charm, as though he 
had never in his life been sad or heavy-hearted. To- 
wards evening other citizens of Wittenberg came out 
to enjoy the balmy air. Luther made them all wel- 
come. They talked together of many things, — of the 
affairs of the city of Wittenberg, and of those of the 
kingdom of God, until it grew late, and Wolfgang 
came limping out from town, with warm wraps for 
Mistress Luther and the children, and well-meant ad- 
vice to the Doctor, not to linger in the night-air. 
Luther readily yielded, and all returned to town to- 
gether. 

The roses in Luther's garden were blooming glori- 
ously, delighting not only the Doctor, but all those 
whom he invited into his garden, to view the wonder- 
ful works of God, and those into whose houses he sent 
generous nosegays of the fragrant flowers. But great- 
er was his joy, when he saw the roses slowly appearing 
in little Elizabeth's cheeks. The physician, Augustin 
Schurf, smiled sadly when he saw the father's fond de- 
lusion, — he knew that under the roses death was at 
work. Soon the little face grew pale again, and with 



THE WIFE. 143 



hearts doubly saddened by disappointed hope, the 
parents stood beside their dying child, and tasted the 
bitterness of death. They prayed for its life, but 
God said : " Give me the child.* ' 

As the last struggle was drawing near, Luther, with 
a supreme effort of renunciation, exclaimed : "Lord, 
Thy will be done!" Katharine cried aloud: "O 
dear Father, let this cup pass from us. It is so bitter, 
methinks I cannot drink it. ' ' 

When Luther saw his wife's grief, tears burst from 
the strong man's eyes and he wept like a child. This 
roused Katharine from her sorrow, and seeing her hus- 
band's pain, she strove to comfort him. And Luther, 
having received, was again able to give. He walked 
behind the little coffin, as it was carried to the grave, 
accompanied by weeping friends, and there spoke 
words of comfort to all present. Here he again ex- 
perienced, more fully than ever, how great a treasure 
is the precious Word of God, which is most powerful 
and life-giving, when the soul is passing through dark- 
ness and sorrow. 

Wolfgang made a little cross of wood, which he set 
upon the grave, and Luther wrote upon it : "Hie dor- 
mit Elisabeth, filiola Martini Lutheri, Anno 1328 ' 9 
" Here sleeps Elizabeth, Martin Luther's little daugh- 
ter." 



144 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

It was long, before Katharine's loving heart could 
cast aside its sorrow. Yet she was made acquainted 
with one of the blessings of affliction, namely, the 
hearty sympathy and affection of the members of her 
household. Her servants, as well as the boarders, 
were eager to serve her, as though each one, as far as 
in him lay, desired to comfort the bereaved mother, 
and Katharine was deeply grateful for their loving 
service. 

Better than they, the Lord supplied her loss. When 
the lilies of the valley bloomed on little Elizabeth's 
grave, the happy mother's thanksgiving rose heaven- 
ward : " The Lord hath taken away, the Lord hath 
given. Blessed be the name of the Lord." In his 
study Luther sat and wrote in great haste : 

" Grace and Peace in Christ, my dear Amsdorf! 
The gracious God has regarded our sorrow, and has 
sent us in place of our little dead maiden, a living 
one. I pray you, therefore, make haste, that it may 
not longer remain a heathen, but speedily, by means 
of the blessed Sacrament, be enrolled in Heaven as an 
heir of eternal life." 

When the sacred act had been performed, Luther 
took his daughter upon his arm and said : " My dear 
little Lena, thou art doubly welcome, — for thine own 
sake, and for the sake of thy departed sister, who 



THE WIFE. 145 



lives again in thee ; for when I look at thee, me- 
thinks I again behold my little Elizabeth/ ' 

Then, turning to his wife, he bent down over the 
pale face, and said: "You dearest wife, how can I 
thank you for this precious gift ! What were Dr. 
Martin, without his Kate ! Since I have you, I am no 
longer poor, but a rich man indeed ! If Thou lovest 
me, O Lord my God, do Thou preserve and bless this 
dear life. M 

10 



CHAPTER XV. 

ALONE. 

Katharine sat alone in her husband's study, — that 
famous spot, whence Luther directed his attacks upon 
the Papacy. For five long months the Doctor had 
been absent at the Castle of Coburg. There, by the 
Elector's desire, he remained during the continuance 
of the Diet of Augsburg, where he was unable to be 
present, by reason of the Imperial interdict. Yet he 
was near enough to aid the Protestants with his coun- 
sel, and infuse into their hearts some of his own spirit- 
ual strength. 

Although the reformer was often called from home 
by his many duties, Katharine could never accustom 
herself to his absence. Her life seemed bereft of its 
dignity and its chief delight, when she could neither 
see her husband's face, nor hear his voice. She lived 
for him only, nay more, — all that gave purpose to her 
existence, and made her life worth living, came from 
him. As she rested under the shadow of this great 
man, life unfolded to her its fullness. She had no de- 
sire to glory before the world, as the wife of the great- 

(i 4 6) 



THE WIFE. 147 



est and the most renowned man of his time. To be 
overshadowed by his greatness, to receive from the 
abundance of his spiritual riches, seemed to her a 
great and an enviable privilege. To forget herself, 
to serve him in humble love, was her most cherished 
duty. 

Her husband has therefore sung her praises in every 
key : "I have truly a faithful and God-fearing wife, 
in whom the heart of her husband may safely trust, as 
Solomon saith. She is willing and obedient in all 
things, more than I dared hope for. I could not find 
a more obedient wife, were I to hew one out of 
stone. Therefore I love my Kate far better than my- 
self, and I would rather die, than that harm should 
come to her and the little ones. I esteem her more 
highly than the kingdom of France and the principal- 
ity of Venice. For this is God's highest gift and 
grace, — a virtuous, loving, diligent, God-fearing wife, 
with whom thou canst live in peace, and to whom thou 
mayest safely entrust all that thou hast." 

Luther had left for her assistance and protection the 
brothers Peter and Jerome Weller ; but they, together 
with all the numerous household, could not fill the 
void caused by his absence. There was but one Lu- 
ther, as there is but one sun in the heavens. When 
the sun goes down, the moon and all the myriad stars 



148 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

cannot take its place. 

Katharine was mending little Hans' jacket, but her 
thoughts were not with her needle. She soon put her 
work aside, and unlocking a chest, brought out a pock- 
et of yellow leather, in which she preserved the letters 
received from Augsburg and Coburg. Although she 
knew their contents by heart, she read them again. 
Deep, calm joy brightened her face, as the evening 
sunshine brightens the summer fields ; for in these let- 
ters she had new and visible testimony, that Dr. 
Martin loved his wife with a full, true love, and that 
the respect of other good men was not wanting. 

She smiled, as she unfolded the first letter, written 
in a merry, jesting vein, each word expressing de- 
light in his lofty abode, "in the kingdom of the 
birds." 

" Grace and Peace in Christ ! My dear Kate ! We 

have safely reached our Sinai ; but we purpose to make 

a Tabor of it, and build three tabernacles, one for the 

Psalter, one for the Prophets, and one for ^Esop. 1 

First of all, your old lover wishes to announce to 

you that Dr. Martin has become a king, or at least a 

prince, and dwells in a high castle, with thirty serving 

(i) It was Luther's intention to translate the fables of ^Esop, 
to " adapt them for youth and common men, that they should be 
of some use to the Germans." There are thirteen fables of his 
version, rendered in the simplest popular language. 



THE WIFE. 149 



men, in gay coats, together with twelve watchmen, 
and two trumpeters in the tower. It is a very quiet 
place, and favorable to study, except that a great tu- 
mult is constantly going on in the air without. Un- 
der our windows there is a little wood, where the ra- 
vens and jackdaws are holding a diet. There is a con- 
tinual coming and going, and such chattering, day 
and night, that one might think they were all drunken 
with wine. Young and old are cawing and croaking 
together, that I marvel that their ears and throats can 
endure it. I should like to know, if any of this nobility 
still remain with you, for methinks they are gathered 
here from all quarters of the earth. I have not yet 
seen their Emperor, but the nobles and great ones 
among them are always before our eyes — not in costly 
raiment, but all alike arrayed in black, and all alike 
grey-eyed. They also sing but one tune, with the va- 
rious voices of young and old, great and small. They 
care not for stately palaces and halls ; their hall is arch- 
ed with the fair, wide heavens; their floor is the 
earth, tricked out with green boughs ; and their walls 
are as wide as the ends of the earth. They ask not 
for horses and soldiers, for they have feathery pinions, 
upon which they fly from the anger of men. Great 
and mighty lords are they ; but what decisions they 
have arrived at, I have not yet heard ; although as far 



ISO KATHARINE VON BORA; 

as I could learn through an interpreter, they are plan- 
ning a mighty crusade against the fields of wheat, bar- 
ley, oats and other grains, where many an one will per- 
form deeds of valor, and win his spurs by his prowess. 
Thus we are here present at this diet, hearing and see- 
ing with much pleasure and goodwill, how the princes, 
lords, and other estates of the empire sing so merrily 
and fare so well. With especial pleasure we see them 
strut about, wipe their bills and hasten to the attack 
upon the grain-fields. We wish them good luck, and 
that one and all they may be spitted on a hedge stake. 
Methinks they are no other than the papists and soph- 
ists, with their clamoring and writing, who are here 
assembled before me, to show me what useful folk they 
are, devouring what is upon the earth, and chattering 
for pastime. 

"To-day we heard the first nightingale; she mis- 
trusted the month of April. The weather has been 
fair and lovely ; and we have had no rain, save only 
yesterday a little. Perhaps it has been otherwise with 
you. Look well to the house, and God be with you. 

" Martin Luther. 

"April the 28th, 1530!' 

Katharine folded the letter carefully, and took up 
another, in a different handwriting. 

"It pleases me much," she said softly to herself, 



THE WIFE. 151 



" that his friends remember me so kindly. " Then she 
read the letter, which Melanchthon had written her, 
shortly after his arrival in Augsburg : 

" God's grace and blessing ! Honorable, virtuous 
Mistress Luther : This is to inform you that we have 
safely reached Augsburg, for which God be praised ! — 
and have left the Doctor at Coburg, as he has doubtless 
written you. But I hope soon to be with him. I 
pray you, write me how it goes with you, and how the 
captain has behaved with regard to the grain. If 
I can serve you in anything, I will do it with all 
diligence. The chancellors, Dr. Gregory Briick and 
Dr. Christian Baier, who will read before the Diet the 
Protestant confession of faith, send you greetings and 
good wishes. God keep you. 

" Philipp Melanchthon. 

"Augsburg, Wednesday after St. IVa/furgis" 

Underneath was written : " Dear friend, I too wish 
you, and Hans, little Lena and Aunt Lena much plea- 
sure. Kiss my dearest boy in my name. 

"Justus Jonas." 

On the outer edge was scribbled : ( ' I too, John Ag- 
ricola, of Eisleben, wish you well, dear Mistress Lu- 
ther.' ' 

Two tears fell upon the letter, which, like the oth- 



152 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

ers, showed signs of much handling. 

" How God turns evil into good," thought Kate. 
" The parting from my husband was a sore trial, yet 
as its sweet fruits I have these precious letters, whence I 
perceive that I am well loved, and faithfully remem- 
bered. 7 ' 

Another followed, also in a strange handwriting. 
Veit Dietrich, a member of her family, who, with 
Luther's nephew, Cyriac Kaufman, had accompanied 
the Doctor, answered a letter which Katharine, soon 
after Lena's birthday, had sent with a portrait of the 
child, to Coburg. 

" God's greeting, dear Mistress Luther ! You have 
done a good work in sending the picture to the Rev- 
erend Doctor, for it drives away many heavy thoughts. 
He has fastened it to the wall, opposite our table. 
When he first saw it, he failed to recognize little Lena. 
1 Why/ he said, ' have they made my Lena so dark? ' 
But now it pleases him well, and seems t8 him more 
and more like Lena's face. She resembles Hans 
greatly, especially about the nose, and mouth, and 
eyes. Dear Mistress Luther, I pray you, have no anx- 
iety about the Doctor. He is again, thank God, well 
and of eood cheer. He has suffered much, not only 
from the Augsburg troubles, and from bodily pain, — 
but from grief at the death of his father. For a whole 



THE WIFE. 153 



day he withdrew from us into his room, taking only 
his Psalter with him, and weeping bitterly. But all 
this he has borne and overcome, as a true hero. Dear 
Mistress Luther, I cannot sufficiently extol his stead- 
fastness and serenity, his faith and hopefulness, 
during these troublous times. But he constantly 
nourishes these virtues with diligent study of the di- 
vine Word. He passes at least three hours, the best 
hours of the day, in prayer. Once it was my good 
fortune to hear him pray. Great God, how strong a 
faith breathed from his words. He prays to God with 
such deep reverence, with such power and confidence, 
as though he were speaking to his father or to a friend. 
1 1 know/ he said, ' that Thou art our God and Fath- 
er j therefore I am assured that Thou wilt put them to 
shame, that persecute Thy children. The danger is 
Thine, as well as ours. Thine is the cause ; we have 
put our hands to it, because we needs must. There- 
fore defend Thou it, and give it the victory/ It was 
thus that I, standing afar off, heard him pray, with a 
loud, clear voice. My heart burned within me, when 
he spoke with God in so confident, reverent and child 
like a manner, insisting upon God's promises, given 
in the Psalms, — as one who is certain of obtaining all 
that he asks. — Behold, dear Mistress Luther, this great 
man is your husband ; for which you have cause to 



154 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

praise God. — How fares my Hans, and my dear little 
Lena? Kiss them for me. Yourself and Aunt Le- 
na I commend to God, and together with the Doctor 
and your Cousin Cyriac, send you greetings. 

"Veit Dietrich/ ' 

Katharine searched further, and brought out two 
more letters, in her husband's strong, rugged hand- 
writing. 

" Grace and Peace in Christ! My dear Kate, — 
The messenger is in haste, and I can write you but a 
few words. Tell Dr. Pommer and the rest, that I will 
soon write more. We have had no tidings from Augs- 
burg, but are waiting hourly for letters. It is rumored 
that the reply of our opponents will be read publicly ; 
but that those of our party have been refused a copy 
of the refutation. I know not, if it be true. Where 
matters are thus kept in the dark, our friends will not 
long remain. 

"Since St. Laurence's day I have been very well, 
and have felt no ringing in my head. Therefore I am 
inclined to study, for heretofore the ringing has great- 
ly tormented me. Greetings to all. More the next 
time. God be with you. Amen. Pray diligently, — 
it is of need, and God will help us. 

"Martin Luther. 

" August the 14th, iJjo. yi 



THE WIFE. 155 



To this letter Katharine had sewed another, which 
reached her at the same time : 

" Grace and Peace in Christ, my dear Kate ! After 
I had sealed my letter, dispatches were brought me 
from Augsburg, and I detained the messenger that he 
might carry them also to you. From them you will 
learn how matters stand at Augsburg, — almost as I 
wrote you. Let Peter Weller read them for you, or 
Dr. Pommer. May God help further, as He has be- 
gun. Amen. I cannot write more. The messenger 
is impatient to go. Greet all the dear ones, especial- 
ly Hans Luther and his schoolmaster, to whom I will 
write soon. Greet Aunt Lena and all the others. We 
are eating ripe grapes, although this has been a wet 
month. God be with you all. 

" Martin Luther. 

"From the Wilderness ; on the Day of the 
Assumption of the V.Mary" 

Then followed what was best of all, wrapped in rose 
colored paper — Luther's letter to his little son. Kath- 
arine's eyes grew moist as she read the precious words, 
and from her heart rose a prayer in behalf of the great, 
the glorious Dr. Martin Luther. 



CHAPTER XVI. 
god's inn. 

While Katharine was refolding the letters and tying 
them with a scarlet ribbon, her niece Elsa Kaufman 1 
came into the room, and announced that a stranger, 
who gave his name as Urbanus Rhegius, desired to 
speak with Mistress Luther, having come directly from 
Coburg. 

Katharine hurried into the court. There, under 
the great pear-tree, the Doctor's favorite resting place, 
sat a distinguished looking man, who at her approach, 
rose, and with great politeness advanced to meet her. 

" God's greeting to you, dear Mistress Luther," he 
began, his foreign accent reminding her somewhat of 
the dialect spoken by Baumgaertner. " I regard it as 
a special piece of good fortune, to become acquainted 
with the wife of the great man, whom I met lately for 
the first time ; and to be permitted to bring you his 
greetings, as I am passing through Wittenberg." 

(i) She was the orphan daughter of Luther's sister, whom, 
with her brother Cyriac and her sister Lena, Luther had taken 
into his family. 

(156) 



THE WIFE. 157 



"How fares my dear lord?" asked Katharine, a 
blush of pleased anticipation mantling her cheeks. 

" He is well and of good courage. In his great 
goodness and condescension he gave me a whole day 
of his precious time. And truly, I never experienced 
a happier day ; for Dr. Luther is a powerful theologi- 
an. I always esteemed him greatly, but now I hold 
him higher than ever before, having myself seen and 
heard what neither pen nor words can describe. His 
books betoken his great mind, but when one hears him 
speak, with the spirit of an Apostle, on divine matters, 
he must needs confess : Luther is too great for wise- 
acres to pass judgment upon him. He is, and remains 
the greatest theologian in the world/ ' 

In her happy confusion, Katharine found no words 
to answer him. As his eyes wandered over the place, 
he said : " Here, then, is the spot where he dwells, — 
' God's Inn,' where all that are persecuted for the Gos- 
pel's sake, find shelter. Tell me, dear Mistress Luth- 
er, how can you, with your small means, feed and 
clothe so many ? I scarcely believed my ears, when 
the Reverend Doctor told me, that his entire income 
was two hundred florins." 

With a smile, Katharine pointed to the stables and 
barn-yard. " Do you hear those sounds, dear sir ? 
When the larder is empty, the stable and the garden 



158 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

must replenish it. Yet even this would not suffice, 
were it not for the generous kindness of good people. 
Especially is the hand of our gracious Elector ever 
open toward us. But the Doctor is of a peculiar na- 
ture; he refuses all help, — fearing that God would 
reward him with temporal goods, while he strives only 
for heavenly treasures. Knowing my husband to be 
thus reluctant, they bring their gifts to me, and I do 
not hesitate to receive with pleasure and gratitude 
what is offered in love, and is sorely needed for our 
poor. For although I am careful, I have not been 
able to prevent the Doctor from incurring some debts, 
through aiding his friends.' ' 

Rhegius listened with eager attention, and pointing 
to the large side wing, he asked : " And is your whole 
house full, Mistress Luther?" 

" Yes. A long row of boarders sit at my table. A 
few are able to pay me for what they receive, but the 
larger number have nothing else to give, than a 
" thank you." And I am well content, for thus far 
we have not suffered want, and I would rather serve 
them all without a reward, if it were possible.' - 

"Are you going to build, Mistress Luther? I see 
in yonder corner a pile of bricks and tiles." 

" Our house is large and roomy enough, dear sir, 
but old and ruinous. The Doctor consented to ac- 



THE WIFE. 159 



cept the building material, which the Town Council 
sent him in recognition of his services during the time 
of the plague.' ' 

With growing surprise and pleasure the stranger's 
eyes rested upon Mistress Katharine, who, changing 
the conversation, said to him: "Your speech has a 
foreign sound, dear sir. Where is your home, if I 
may ask ? ' ' 

" I am a Suabian by birth/' returned Rhegius, " and 
a theologian by profession, — but only a small one, not 
worthy to unloose the latchet of Dr. Martin's shoes, — 
yet desirous of laboring with all my strength in the 
vineyard of the Lord." 

"Please be seated, dear Master Rhegius," urged 
Katharine, " I will call some of our young men, that 
they may hear your report of the Doctor ; and I will 
prepare you some refreshment." 

Katharine hurried ^across the court and entered the 
wing, whence she soon returned with the brothers 
Peter and Jerome Weller, little Hans' schoolmasters. 
While they joined the stranger, plying him with many 
eager questions, Katharine brought a bottle of home- 
brewed beer from the cellar, and went to the kitchen, 
to prepare the traveller's repast. 

Before she had finished, Elsa announced a new ar- 
rival. " Dear Mistress Luther, a woman stands with- 



1 60 KA THARINE VON BORA ; 

out. She has the look of a queen, and yet one could 
weep to see her sorrowful face. She asked me if the 
doctor had returned, and seemed much distressed 
when I told her he was still absent. Then she ques- 
tioned me, whether Mistress Luther had a merciful 
heart, and begged to see you." 

Katharine felt uneasy. Charging Elsa with the 
stranger's meal, she went to the great hall. Pausing 
at the door, she saw before her a woman of a tall, ma- 
jestic figure, whose appearance affected her strangely. 
An expression of blended dignity and gentleness rest- 
ed upon her face, veiled with a look of unspeaka- 
ble sadness. As if in expectation of a greeting or a 
question, her soft, pleading eyes sought Katharine's 
face, until, like Elsa, she felt her own filling with 
tears. 

" Who are you, dear lady ?" asked Katharine, hold- 
ing out her hand in welcome. 

The stranger answered wearily : " My husband sits 
upon a throne, and wears an Elector's crown; but I 
have not where to lay my head. ' ' 

Katharine started : " Merciful God ! You are the 
unhappy wife of the Elector of Brandenburg ! ' ' 

" Does my presence alarm you?" she asked, with 
the suspicious sensitiveness peculiar to the unfortunate. 
" Then I will go, — although it is with a heavy heart I 



THE WIFE. 161 



relinquish the hope of finding peace under the great 
reformer's roof. For the Gospel's sake my lord's an- 
ger pursues me; and because I venerate Dr. Martin's 
doctrine as being the Word of God, the Elector has 
threatened to immure me." 

Katharine's heart beat high, and she would have 
folded the unfortunate woman in her arms, but the 
inborn reverence for the wife of a crowned head re- 
strained her. She grasped the hand of the princess, 
saying warmly : " This house is open to all who are 
weary and heavy laden, but especially to those who 
suffer for the Gospel's sake." 

A gleam of joy brightened the unhappy woman's 
face, and with difficulty restraining her tears, she an- 
swered : "May He bless you for those words, who 
said : ' Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the 
least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto 
me.' " 

Katharine, after taking a hasty leave of Master Rhe- 
gius, led her guest to a quiet room, overlooking the 
garden. The noble lady's gracious bearing soon over- 
came Katharine's timidity, and they conversed togeth- 
er as old friends. 

Katharine then learned the truth of the story which 
rumor had spread abroad, and mingled with many 
falsehoods. The Electress had incurred the anger of 
ii 



1 62 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

her papist husband by her adherence to the evangeli- 
cal faith, and especially by a secret celebration of the 
Lord's Supper in both kinds, which was betrayed to 
him, and roused in him a fury of passion. He swore 
in his anger, that neither sun nor moon should again 
shine upon the heretic. To save her husband from 
committing a crime, she fled to Torgau, seeking refuge 
with the Elector of Saxony. He assigned to her the 
castle of Lichtenburg on the Elbe, and she accepted 
his kindness with gratitude. But in time the isolation 
and the lack of all spiritual nourishment caused her 
inner life to wither and pine. She had therefore come 
secretly to Wittenberg, to be near the fountain of liv- 
ing water, where her soul might find strength and re- 
pose. 

Katharine expressed her regret at her husband's ab- 
sence, and begged the Eiectress to content herself in 
her company, until the Doctor's return. 

Deeply moved, the princess fell upon Katharine's 
neck, and this silent embrace was the beginning of a 
warm and lasting friendship. Two hearts were brought 
near to each other, which, however different their out- 
ward circumstances, yet were one in their aspira- 
tions after the one thing needful. Katharine soon dis- 
covered that fame had not exaggerated the gentleness, 
nobility and piety of the Eiectress of Brandenburg ; 



THE WIFE. 163 



while the latter found herself irresistibly attracted by 
the strong, upright, loving nature, by the childlike 
simplicity and tender heart of Mistress Luther. With 
unconcealed pleasure she watched Katharine, as with 
energetic discipline, with a clear eye and a firm hand 
she guided and ruled her extensive establishment. She 
was fond of helping here and there, and especially 
glad to occupy herself with the children. Good Aunt 
Lena stepped into the background without a murmur, 
and felt no pang of jealousy, when the thankless Hans 
in his admiration of the new " Aunt Elizabeth" could 
at times forget all the love and care that had been lav- 
ished upon him. 

Katharine's feeling of loneliness was banished. As 
she devoted her spare moments to" the sorely tried 
woman, she felt as though a higher duty were enno- 
bling the common-place routine of her daily life ; and 
her contentment grew, as she perceived that the pa- 
tient sufferer found in her house the rest she sought, 
and was able to look forward to the dawning of a 
brighter day. 

Then a letter arrived from Luther to his "dear 
Kate," announcing his return, and promising to bring 
to his son Hans a fine, large book of pure sugar, which 
Cousin Cyriac had brought from the garden, of which 
he had written. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

PEACE. 

It was a still, sultry morning in August, 1532. 
Heavy clouds covered the sky and tempered some- 
what the heat of the sun. Fido, the little dog, 
stretched himself lazily upon his bed, and the pi- 
geons on the house-top hung their wings. In the 
court-yard of Luther's house, however, there was bus- 
tling activity, as if in preparation for some festivity. 
Wolfgang was helping his mistress fill the clear, home- 
brewed ale into jugs, when the trumpeter from the 
tower of the town-church proclaimed the sixth hour. 
Katharine left the brewing house, and hurried to the 
barnyard, where two maids were wringing the necks of 
some fat hens. Then she went to the kitchen, to sat- 
isfy herself that everything was progressing in orderly 
fashion. Afterward, accompanied by Wolfgang and 
a man-servant, she walked through the still silent 
streets to an orchard, which Luther owned, in the 
neighborhood of the pig-market. Here, overshadow- 
ed by dense willow-bushes, lay a little fish-pond. The 
two men set to work, casting their net, and soon Kath- 

(164) 



THE WIFE. 165 



arine, who in the meantime had plucked a basket 
full of ripe pears, saw her tub filled with fish of various 
kinds. 

' ' These will please the Doctor, ' ' she said, with a 
satisfied smile. " He is a great lover offish, and this 
dish shall serve as a special ornament to our feast.' ' 

"With your permission/ ' interrupted Daniel, the 
servant, "I have not yet been able to learn what is 
the occasion of this feast, ' ' 

"Do you not know, Daniel, that we at last have 
peace in Germany?" asked Katharine, surprised. On 
the homeward walk she told him what had taken place 
at the diet at Nuremberg : that the protestant princes 
had agreed to furnish the Emperor with aid against 
the Turks, on condition that he would not further mo- 
lest them in the exercise of their religion, but concede 
to the Gospel its rights, until the matter should be de- 
termined by a general church council. 

As they entered the Court, master Peter, the bar- 
ber, came hurriedly from the house, greeted Mistress 
Katharine, and asked if the Doctor were not at home. 
He had knocked three times at the study-door, with- 
out receiving an answer. 

"No doubt," said Katharine, "he has been at his 
books all night." 

She went to her husband's chamber, — his bed was 



1 66 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

untouched ; then she hurried to his study, and knock- 
ing repeatedly, heard no sound from within. She 
anxiously opened the door \ — there sat the Doctor, 
motionless, bending over a book. Beside him on the 
table stood a plate with a piece of dry bread and half 
a herring. 

"Doctor!" exclaimed Katharine, pausing at the 
door. Luther did not move. She went to him, took 
his hand, and bent over him, with a look of mingled 
anxiety and reproach. 

Luther looked up in surprise. 

" Dearest Doctor," said Katharine, " how you have 
alarmed me. Why do you do thus ?' ' 

Her question aroused him fully. A shadow passed 
over his face, and he pointed to the Hebrew Bible be- 
fore him : " Why do you reproach me, Kate ? think 
you that what I am doing is evil ? Do you not know 
that I must work while it is day? For the night 
cometh, when no man can work." 

He spoke almost harshly, but she knew that he was 
not angry. She silently caressed the kind hand, whose 
labors for the weal of the human race never ceased. 
Her eyes fell upon the half-consumed herring, and 
with a sad smile she said : "How is it that with such 
meagre fare you have so strong and stately a figure ? 
Melanchthon appears as a lad beside you. — But to- 



THE WIFE. 167 



day you must permit your wife to refresh you with 
a festive repast, after your labors. Our friends are 
coming to rejoice with us over the newly-won 
peace. " 

Luther passed his hand over his forehead. " I had 
well-nigh forgotten ; but I shall enjoy our feast in 
the company of my friends. Spalatin too has prom- 
ised to be present. ' ' He rose, and laying his hand on 
his wife's shoulder, said gently : " My dear wife, how 
heartily you are concerned for me. Wish me joy that 
God has given me a helpmate, who so carefully watches 
over my health, and bears so patiently with my faults 
and infirmities. Dr. Martin would far ill, had he 
not his Kate, who is better able, than he, to rule his 
household." 

Katharine was disconcerted by his praise, and to 
change the subject said : " Master Peter, the barber, 
is waiting ; may he come in, dear Doctor ?' ' 

Luther nodded, and the barber — a small, lean man, 
with thoughtful eyes, and a nimble tongue — was ad- 
mitted. He greeted the Doctor respectfully. While 
he was stirring the soap in the cup, Luther asked : 

" Well, master, what news do you bring me to- 
day ?" 

Peter was silent for a moment, then stammered : 
" Ah, most reverend Doctor, the newest is this, that 



1 68 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

master Peter has not yet learned how to pray. I have 
long desired to ask you, for, being a great theologian, 
you may well instruct a poor Christian in this art.' 7 

Luther smiled. " First do your work ; afterwards 
I will tell you." 

The barber made haste, impatient for his lesson to 
begin. 

"Sit down, dear master Peter/' said Luther, when 
he had finished. " You say praying is an art ? Yes, 
verily, — an art, which the Papists little understand. 
And yet it is easily learned by every sincere Christian. 
See, master Peter, when your soul is disinclined to 
prayer, you must rouse it. Take your Psalter, with- 
draw to a quiet place, and read until your heart grows 
warm. You may also take your Catechism and de- 
voutly consider the five Parts. This is an excellent 
means of kindling a flame within the heart. Although 
I am an old Doctor of Theology, yet like a child from 
its mother, I draw daily nourishment from the article 
of the Christian Faith and that of the Lord's Prayer. 
When you pray, let it be with a whole, undivided 
heart. Even a good barber must needs fix his eyes 
and his thoughts upon his razor, and not chatter and 
gaze about him." 

Master Peter in many words expressed his gratitude, 
and rose to leave ; but Luther detanied him, saying : 



THE WIFE. 169 



" If you have time, stay, and be present at our morn- 
ing worship.' ' 

He took the Bible and Catechism from the table, 
and, followed by the barber, proceeded to the great 
hall, where the household was already assembled, and 
awaiting the master's appearance. 

After a pleasant greeting, all took their places at the 
long, oaken table. Luther sat at the head ; at his right 
Mistress Katharine with Aunt Lena and the ehildren ; 
at his left Peter and Jerome Weller, with Wolfgang 
and four other young men, who were regarded as mem- 
bers of the family ; opposite them, the sisters Elsa and 
Lena Kaufman, and at the lower end the servants. 

Luther began with his full, rich voice, all the other 
voices, deep and high, joining in, and reverently sing- 
ing : 

" In these our days so perilous, 1 
Lord, peace in mercy send us ; 
No God but Thee can fight for us, 
No God but Thee defend us ; 
Thou, our only God and Saviour." 

After the master of the house had read the 23d 
Psalm, all rose and devoutly repeated the Morning 
Prayer : 

" In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. 

1 Translated by R. Massie. 



170 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

Amen. I give thanks unto thee, Heavenly Father, 
through Jesus Christ Thy dear Son, that Thou hast 
protected me through the night from all danger and 
harm \ and I beseech Thee to preserve and keep me, 
this day also, from all sin and evil ; that in all my 
thoughts, words, and deeds, I may serve and please 
Thee. Into Thy hands I commend my body and 
soul, and all that is mine. Let Thy holy angel have 
charge concerning me, that the wicked one have no 
power over me. Amen." l 

"Now let us hear the catechism," continued Lu- 
ther. "Wolfgang, will you begin?" 

Wolfgang rose, with folded hands, and recited the 
first commandment ; his neighbor the second and so 
on, until it came to Luther's turn, who like the rest, 
repeated his portion. 

"Dear Hans," Luther asked his six-year-old son, 
" can you tell me where I ended my explanation yes- 
terday ? " 

"At the close of the ten commandments, dear fath- 
er," was the ready answer. 

"Then give heed," said Luther, "that you may 

know what is meant by ' the law.' The creature may 

well fear the law, with its threats and penalties. It is 

God's purpose, that the law should cause sinners to 

1 Church Book, Catechism, p. 55. 



THE WIFE. 171 



tremble ; for it is a taskmaster, holding the scourge in 
his right hand. But understand me well, — the law is 
not a taskmaster for its own sake, as though it delighted 
in punishment, but it is evermore pointing to Christ. 
What manner of master would he be, who tormented 
and chastised his scholars without ceasing, yet taught 
• them nothing ? Of such schoolmasters there have been 
many, — tyrants, who made their schools places of tor- 
ture, beating without reason or measure the poor 
children, who studied with great labor and diligence, 
and yet with small profit. The law is a master of 
quite another sort, not only making its children to fear, 
but driving to Christ those who fall under its condem- 
nation. But having driven us to Him, threats no lon- 
ger avail. Were Moses to accuse my conscience, I 
should say : Nay, Moses, but Christ is here. And on 
the blessed Judgment Day, Moses will say to me : 
Thou hast understood me well. For he that is in 
Christ, is delivered from the law, as the Scripture 
saith : ' Christ is the end of the law. ' Those who are 
Christ's, are no longer under the law, but are sancti- 
fied." Turning to his wife, he said suddenly : " Dear 
Kate, do you believe that you are sanctified ? ' ' 

Taken aback by his abrupt question, she was unable 
at once to reply. After considering for a moment, 
she said : " How should I believe that I am sanctified? 
Am I not a great sinner ? ' ' 



172 KA THARINE VON BORA ; 

The Doctor smiled. " See the popish unbelief, — 
how it has wounded the hearts of men, and possessed 
the inner nature so entirely, that it sees nothing be- 
yond that outward, personal righteousness and holiness, 
which we achieve for ourselves. Dear Kate, if you 
believe that you are baptized a Christian, you must 
needs believe that you are sanctified. Holy baptism 
has power, so to change our sinfulness, that although 
continually present and felt, yet it does not condemn 
us." 

A faint blush rose to Katharine's cheek, and a mute, 
eloquent glance thanked her husband for his comfort- 
ing words. 

Thereafter, following the master's example, all rose 
while he pronounced the blessing. The maidservants 
then brought in the morning meal, which was eaten in 
silence ; after which all went to their work. 

The Doctor brought from his study the Hebrew 
Bible and, accompanied by Peter Weller, repaired to 
the University, to lecture upon the Book of Genesis. 
Jerome took Hans to his own room, where he instruct- 
ed the child in reading and writing. 

During the forenoon a long table, covered with a 
fresh linen cloth, was placed in the court-yard, under 
the pear-tree ; the Doctor had desired to enjoy this 
festive occasion under the open sky. 



THE WIFE. 173 



But darker rose the clouds, driven by a strong wind, 
and soon the first heavy drops plashed upon the ground. 
Katharine called her maids, to remove the table, and 
complained to her husband, who had just returned, 
that the rain was spoiling her pleasure. 

"Not so, dear Kate," protested Luther. "God 
gives us what is worth many hundred thousand florins. 
It is now raining wheat, oats, corn, grass, and the like, 
for which we should thank the dear Lord, and not 
murmur. There is abundant room within the house, 
— Hark ! Is not that a wagon ? It is surely Spalatin. 
I feared he might not come. The other guests are 
already here." 

A wagon rolled into the court, and a moment later, 
in the pouring rain, Luther held his beloved Spalatin 
in his arms. The other guests hurried from the house 
to greet the new comer — Melanchthon, Jonas, Bugen- 
hagen, George Rorer, the chaplain of St. Mary's, 
Kaspar Cruciger, and Lucas Kranach. The wives of 
Jonas and Melanchthon had also been invited. Both 
were namesakes and warm friends of Mistress Luther, 
so that on that day three Katharines sat at table to- 
gether. 

Luther's friends rejoiced to see his cheerful mood, 
for only lately his spirit had been oppressed by deep 
melancholy. He inquired with much interest after 



174 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

the health of the Elector, who had been ailing since 
February,- and the favorable report which Spalatin 
was able to give, added to the general cheerfulness. 

After much pleasant talk, Luther rose from his chair, 
lifted his glass, and said: " My dear friends, it has 
hitherto been the custom among Christians, to cross 
themselves at the mention of the Infidel, and to wish 
him much evil, as the enemy of God and the spoiler 
of Christendom. But to-day it is more fitting that we 
thank-him and drink to his health. " 

The men laughed at the jest. The Sultan Suleiman 
had indeed been the means of bringing about a peace 
between the Emperor and the allied Protestant prin- 
ces. The danger which threatened the German Em- 
pire from the east, had compelled him to purchase 
their aid against the common enemy, by yielding to 
their demands in the matter of religion. 

Luther continued : " Every creature becomes, often 
unwittingly, an instrument in the hand of God, for 
the accomplishing of His holy Will. Those who plan 
to do evil, do good instead ; and while they would 
fain destroy God's kingdom, they help to build it up. 
May our faith never grow weary, for the Lord has 
many ways and means, even where our short sight can 
see no remedy. Here the Infidel himself must needs 
help the Gospel, in despite of the Pope and the Em- 



THE WIFE. 175 

peror. — How mercifully the Lord has sustained his 
cause ! Everywhere throughout the Empire there are 
many who follow the truth. The building is under 
roof; it now needs to be completed and preserved. 
A new generation has arisen. The burden no longer 
rests upon me alone ; but many stand as pillars of the 
new life, as leaders in the warfare between darkness 
and light." 

Spalatin nodded: "Yes, Brother Martin, I too re- 
joice in the advancement of the good cause. The 
Elector returned with renewed hopefulness from Nu- 
remberg, which has doubtless contributed to the im- 
provement in his health. ' ' 

" I have taken a hearty draught in honor of the 
Turk/' said the chaplain Rorer, " but far greater hon- 
or is due to the man, whose wisdom brought about the 
peace between the Emperor and the Union of Smal- 
cald ; — the man who so clearly distinguishes between 
what is God's and what is Caesar's ; better than Zwin- 
gli, whose mingling of spiritual with temporal things 
has caused his destruction. ' ' 

Luther, towards whom, at these words, alb eyes were 
turned, lifted his hand, and said earnestly: "Dear 
Rorer, you know that such praise pleases me little. 
What I am, I am by the grace of God, — to Him alone 
the honor is due." 



176 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

Spalatin, in the meantime, was whispering into 
Katharine's ear : " His grace, the Elector, sends your 
husband through me a gift of a hundred gold florins. 
Small as it is, in comparison with the consolation he 
received from Dr. Luther during his recent illness, yet 
his heart urged him to show his gratitude, as far as he is 
able. I will not offer it to the Doctor, knowing that 
he will refuse the gift, which I pray you, dear Mistress 
Luther, to accept ; for I know that you have need of 
it, and the Elector will be much pleased.' ' 

Katharine whispered her thanks and said : "It is 
impossible to change the Doctor's mind in these mat- 
ters. Only the day before yesterday, a young man 
who had finished his studies, and lacked the money for 
his homeward journey, came to us for help. My hus- 
band reached into his pocket, and finding it empty, 
he took a silver cup from the shelf and offered it to 
his student, who refused to accept it. I made 
signs to the Doctor with my eyes ; but as though he 
neither saw nor heard, he crushed the cup in his strong 
hand, and forced it upon the young man, saying : " I 
have no need of silver cups. Take it to the silver- 
smith, and whatever he gives you, is yours." 

Spalatin* s eyes glistened, as he glanced toward Dr. 
Martin, and with admiring veneration, he said softly : 
" That is Luther ! " 



THE WIFE. 177 



Presently, Katharine rose, and brought in the fish. 
When in passing it around, she came to her husband, 
he tapped her on the shoulder. " Kate, I think you 
have more pleasure from your small fish-pond, than 
many a nobleman from his large ones, whence he can 
draw hundreds of fish. Ah, many an one lives in 
plenty, and yet cannot enjoy God's gifts with profit 
and pleasure.' ' 

Melanchthon, as was his habit, had sat in silent 
meditation. Suddenly he looked up, and turning to 
Luther, said : " I marvel, what our enemies would say 
if they saw us sitting thus pleasantly together ? ' ' 

" Let them say what they will," interrupted Luth- 
er. " If we fast, they cry: Pharisees and hypocrites. 
If we eat, they say : Gluttons and wine-bibbers ! Thus 
it was when our Saviour lived upon the earth. But 
what says our Lord in Heaven, when we enjoy His 
gifts ? Truly, He has made them all for our use, 
and asks nothing further, than that we acknowledge 
them as His gifts, and receive them with thanksgiv- 
ing." 

The conversation continued for an hour longer ; 
then Luther and his friends rose and gave thanks after 
meat. 

The air having grown cool and fresh after the rain, 
the men repaired to the court, to enjoy a game of 
12 



178 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

bowls, while the women sat down together under the 
pear-tree. 

The friendship of these three women was not less 
intimate than that of their husbands ; especially were 
Katharine and the wife of Justus Jonas congenial, sha- 
ring joy and sorrow with one another. Often, when 
Luther's forebodings pointed to an early death, and 
his imagination pictured to him his widowed wife, he 
referred her to Mistress Katharine Jonas for support 
and consolation. The mothers' friendship had de- 
scended to the children, who were fond of playing and 
studying together. 

Suddenly Luther's voice was heard, welcoming a 
new guest, and looking up, they saw John Walter, the 
choir-master from Torgau, whom Luther held in high 
esteem. There were joyous greetings from all, except 
Wolfgang, who was ill pleased at the interruption, and 
grumbled to himself: " Why must he come upon us 
just at this moment ? Now the game is at an end, 
and so forth, and the miserable singing and howling 
will begin." The worthy Wolfgang, who had doubt- 
less taken his lessons in singing from the jackdaws 
and magpies, considered a game of bowls superior to 
the finest music. 

His fears were speedily realized. All gathered 
around the choir-master, and under his direction song 



THE WIFE. 179 



after song was sung, — first folk-songs, of which Luther 
was very fond, then hymns and chorales, such as at 
Luther's request and with his assistance Walter had 
published for the Protestant worship. Higher and 
higher rose their spirits upon the wings of song, until 
the enthusiasm reached its climax, as Walter intoned 
that glorious song of battle and triumph : " A mighty 
Fortress is our God." The sounds re-echoed from 
the convent walls, and the evening wind bore the 
triumphal strains forth into the streets of the town. 
Wondrous was the power of this heroic song, which, 
with its majestic waves of sound, seized upon every 
heart. Even Wolfgang yielded, and added his croak- 
ing voice to the chorus. 

The twilight slowly gathered, and after Katharine 
had offered her guests a light refreshment, all, except 
Spalatin and Walter, returned to their homes. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE MOTHER AND HER CHILDREN. 

Wittenberg, in the 16th Century, was a wretched 
town. The houses, built of wood, were thatched with 
straw. The narrow, crooked streets were paved rough- 
ly, or not at all ; and in rainy weather, or during the 
spring thaws, became almost impassable. A few pro- 
minent buildings, — the fine churches, the Elector's 
palace, the University, the Franciscan and Augustin- 
ian convents, and the dwellings of some wealthy citi- 
zens, alone raised it to the dignity of a town. 

The surrounding country had been meagerly dealt 
with by nature. Luther was wont to say : " Land, — 
thou art nothing but sand ! ' ' In every direction 
stretched wastes of sand. In the immediate neighbor- 
hood of the town, however, especially toward the 
South, where rolled the yellow waters of the Elbe, oc- 
casional clumps of trees, and even vineyards were to 
be seen. Here many citizens of Wittenberg had 
planted charming gardens, whither they went to re- 
fresh themselves during the heat of summer. 

One garden especially, which lay near the Elster- 

(180) 



THE WIFE. 181 



gate, gave evidence of artistic skill and careful culture. 
The shrubs and flower beds were tastefully arranged. 
A little pond, fed by a spring, lay hidden among rust- 
ling reeds ; and in the midst of a large gravelled space 
rose a white summer house. 

One bright day in the Summer of 1534, a merry lit- 
tle company was gathered here. A strong, active 
boy of nine, was the leader in their games, and their 
occasional excursions to the strawberry-beds. It was 
his birthday, and by reason of this circumstance, and 
of his seniority, he ruled over the younger ones, — 
a gentle little maiden of six, and two boys, of two 
and four. 

Within the Summer-house sat ,the mother, holding 
a baby in her arms, and watching the play of 
her children, — now and then calling out a word of 
warning, when the merriment grew too boisterous, or 
when the eldest insisted too vigorously upon his rights. 

It was Katharine, who after her day's work had come 
with her children to this favorite spot, — here, under 
the open sky, and among the flowers, she wished to 
celebrate the day on which, nine years ago, God's 
grace had given her her first-born son. 

Luther might well say, with the Psalmist : " My 
wife is as a fruitful vine by the side of my house ; my 
children like olive plants round about my table," — 



182 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

five healthy, happy children they were ; and the mo- 
ther still fresh and blooming, as though sorrow could 
not touch her. 

Suddenly a shout arose: "Aunt Lena! Aunt Lena 
is coming ! M and the children sprang towards the old 
woman, as though she were a fortress, to be carried by 
assault. 

They were very fond of the good aunt, who always 
had time and patience to answer their endless ques- 
tions, who told them such lovely tales in the twilight ; 
who dressed Lena's dolls, and made soldiers of paste- 
board for the boys, and never betrayed their childish 
wrong-doings to father or mother. But to-day their 
enthusiastic greeting was largely mingled with self-inte- 
rest. They wanted her to take charge of the little 
Gretchen, that their mother might play with them \ — 
this being a great favor, and a rare one, for the moth- 
er's hands were always busy. Aunt Lena, being a 
person of much penetration, guessed their wishes, and 
did her part most willingly. 

They played hide-and-seek and blind man's buff. 
They counted the peas in the pods, by holding them 
up to the light, and there was mueh laughter among 
the boys, at their mother's failures. She herself felt 
light-hearted and strong, — were not her children in 
good health, — and the Doctor well, and vigorously at 
work upon his new book ? 



THE WIFE. 183 



But in time she wearied of the play and Wolfgang's 
appearance was a welcome interruption. He announ- 
ced that the Doctor would probably not come before 
evening. Then from a basket he emptied a variety of 
buns and cakes upon the table, which quieted the noi- 
sy company for a time. 

Hans seemed to have special business with Wolf- 
gang. His eyes betrayed his eagerness; but Wolf- 
gang seemed not to understand this mute appeal. 
When he found himself unobserved, he whispered : 
"Wolfgang, let us look after the bird-traps ! " Wolf- 
gang was not easy to persuade. He remembered the 
lecture he had received but the other day, when he 
presented the Doctor with a tame bullfinch. Luther 
told him sharply, that he took no pleasure in captive 
birds, which the Lord had not created to the end that 
Master Wolfgang Sieberger might snare them in his 
nets. But Hans pleaded so strongly, — it was his birth- 
day, and Wolfgang yielded. 

They stole away secretly. But Martin, the four- 
year-old, perceiving their intention, cried out after the 
fugitives, and wanted to be taken along. With many 
promises and persuasions he was finally pacified, and 
induced to remain behind. 

Not far from the garden, near the University, was a 
secluded little copse, where multitudes of the feathery 



1 84 KA THARINE VON BORA ; 

tribe were wont to congregate. It was here that Wolf- 
gang had set his traps. As they entered the grove, a 
flock of finches rose into the air. Their notes sounded 
like mocking laughter to the bird-catchers, who 
always came too late, and must needs be content, if 
after a fortnight's watching, they snared a silly robin 
or a saucy sparrow. As a bird-catcher, Wolfgang had 
small luck, at which he wondered greatly, for all his 
measures were taken strictly according to the rules of 
the craft, and the spot was well chosen for his pur- 
pose. Perhaps the wood-nymphs spoiled his sport ! 
To-day again he caught nothing. Finally, his pa- 
tience was exhausted. He sprang up and gave vent to 
his feelings in a vigorous oath, which the echoes flung 
back to him with derisive distinctness. 

The sportsmen left the copse, in a bad humor. As 
they approached the garden, Wolfgang exclaimed, in 
consternation : " The Doctor has come. There will 
be a fine reception for us, and so forth ! M and with 
lagging footsteps they went to meet their fate. 

Luther had arrived earlier than he expected ; and 
finding Hans absent, at once suspected the truth. 
Seating himself in the summer-house, he soon covered 
a sheet of paper with writing. 

He received the culprits with a stern look. There 
was no need of questioning them, their guilt was so 



THE WIFE. 185 



clearly written upon their faces. Wolfgang stammer- 
ed something that sounded like an apology, but Luth- 
er interrupted him: " Sit here, Wolfgang; and you, 
Hans, sit beside him ; and all the rest come hither, 
and hear the complaint, which has come to my 
hands. 

When all were assembled, the Doctor read as fol- 
lows : 

"To our well-inclined friend, Dr. Martin Luther, 
Professor and preacher at Wittenberg. We thrushes, 
robins, linnets and other honest and peaceable birds, 
who are sojourning in these parts, would have you know 
that a certain Wolfgang Sieberger, your servant, has 
committed a daring and ruthless deed, in that, out of 
malice and hatred toward us, he has purchased dearly 
certain old and ragged nets, wherewith he purposes 
not only to snare our good friends, the finches ; but 
would fain deny to us also, who have in no wise wrong- 
ed him, the liberty of flying in the air, and of picking 
up the grains which God has strewn for us. Al]> this 
being, as you may suppose, a grievous oppression to 
us poor birds, we would direct to you our humble pe- 
tition : That you restrain your servant from his evil 
design ; or, failing in this, that you command him, in 
the evenings to scatter grain upon this place, and in 
the morning not to rise before eight o'clock. If he 



1 86 RA THAR IN E VON B OR A ; 

consents, we will be content and even grateful to him. 
But if, on the contrary, he continues to persecute us, 
we will pray to the good Lord to punish him ; and we 
hope that some day he may find toads, and snails, and 
grasshoppers, instead of birds, in his net ; and that 
at night the mice, fleas, and other vermin, shall cause 
him such torment, as to make him forget his evil de- 
signs against our liberty. Why does he spare the spar- 
rows, magpies, jackdaws, mice and rats, which do you 
much harm, which rob and steal, carrying away your 
corn, oats and barley — while we seek only after crumbs 
and scattered grains, freeing you moreover from flies, 
gnats and other troublesome insects ? We ask if this 
be just and reasonable ? And we trust that in future 
we may rest undisturbed by his snares and nets. 

" Given in our airy habitation among the trees, un- 
der our usual seal. ,, 

Without adding a word, without a glance at the ac- 
cused, Luther folded the paper and put it into his 
pocket. Wolfgang's feelings were those of a convict- 
ed criminal, whose sentence is being read. He turn- 
ed red and white, and would have been glad to slip 
away, had such an escape been possible. 

Hans sat limp and dejected. He was plunged from 
his eminence as the hero of a birthday celebration ! 
He waited eagerly for a lecture from his father, which 



THE WIFE. 187 



would have relieved his conscience. But when he was 
passed by without a glance, and the father, with tender, 
loving words turned to the other children, especially 
to Lena, the gentle little daughter, his torture became 
well-nigh unbearable. With secret horror he remem- 
bered the time when, for a mischievous prank, he had 
been banished for three days from his father's pres- 
ence, and all his mother's pleadings had been in vain. 
His father's words still rang painfully in his ears : " I 
would rather have a dead son than a disobedient one. 
It is not for naught that St. Paul says ' a bishop shall 
rule well his own house, and have his children in sub- 
jection,' — that he may set a good example, and not 
become an offense to other people." 

Hans would have wept, but inward fear dried up 
the source of his tears, and he was denied the relief of 
turning his trouble into water. At supper he was un- 
able to swallow a morsel ; and his father's kind words 
to the others pierced him like a knife. Lena sat very 
still ; — now and then her eyes wandered toward her 
brother, — his sorrow was hers. On a former occasion 
Luther had said to his wife : " If one would see a liv- 
ing illustration of the Saviour's words : ( Rejoice with 
them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep,' 
one needs but look at our little Lena. She has a fine, 
sensitive soul, like an ^Eolian harp, that sounds and 



KATHARINE VON BORA; 



sings, if but a breath of air touches its strings/ ' 

After supper, Lena clung to her father, caressed his 
hand, and looked up into his face with a wistful smile. 

" What would you have, my Lena?" asked her fa- 
ther gently, lifting her upon his knee. 

"It is Hans* birthday! " she whispered, and two 
great tears filled her soft, blue eyes. Her father, 
touched by her loving heart, folded his little daughter 
in his arms and kissed her forehead. He beckoned to 
Hans : " Come hither, thou sinner, thy intercessor has 
conquered my heart, so that I must needs have pity on 
thee!" 

Hans would fain have shouted for joy, but he re- 
strained himself, and pressing close to his sister, he 
whispered : " Lena, you shall have my clapper-mill for 
this!" 

Luther turned to his wife and Aunt Lena. " Here 
you may see," he said, " how powerful a mediator we 
have in our Lord Jesus Christ, whom the Heavenly 
Father cannot refuse, when He pleads for sinners. If 
my daughter thus speedily conquered my heart, how 
much more able is Christ to dispel the Heavenly Fath- 
er's anger, that the sinner may go free. When I 
found this assurance in the Holy Scriptures, that we 
cannot be saved by our own virtue, but only by the 
merits and intercession of Jesus Christ, — a new life 



THE WIFE. 189 



was born within me, and I was constrained to pro- 
claim it to all the world. I am heartily glad, and 
thank the Lord, that the Bible has gone forth among 
the German people, in the German tongue. Many a 
drop of sweat cleaves to it, yet I labored with pleasure 
and delight, for now all can see for themselves what 
God's Word is, and wherefore the Saviour came into 
the world. — I regard this work as the greatest of my 
life ; and if God were now to call me hence, I should 
willingly say: Lord, here I am." 

Here the little, chubby-faced Paul, bestriding a 
stick, came prancing along. In his haste he dashed 
against his father, and was miserably overthrown. 
Every one laughed at his discomfiture, but his father 
lifted the little fellow upon his knee, and said : " Paul 
must one day be a soldier, and ride against the Turks ; 
then doubtless Germany will have peace from that 
quarter. ' ' He stroked the curly head, and turning to 
Katharine, said : " How fondly parents cling to their 
youngest children, — it is no doubt, because of their 
helpless condition. Hans, and Lena, and even Mar- 
tin can make their wants known, — but these little ones 
cannot. Yet the love is the same toward them all." 

Katharine held out the baby, Gretchen, and said 
with a smile: "This one needs love more than any, 
— and yet you do not mention her, dear Doctor." 



190 KATHARINE VON BORA; 



Luther took the child in his arms and caressed it, 
saying: " There is a great sacredness about a little 
child, of whom the Scriptures say : i Their angels do 
always behold the face of my Father who is in heav- 
en. 7 I would give all the honor I have had, and shall 
have in this world, had I died at the age of this child. 
A child's life is the happiest : it has no temporal cares, 
knows nothing of the disturbers of the Church, has no 
fear of death or hell, but only pure and happy fancies. 
My dear little child, thou and all who are dear to me 
are hated of the Pope, Duke Geoige, the Devil and 
all their friends. But the child is not disturbed, fears 
nothing, and laughs at their anger. ' ' 

The Evening had come, and Katharine began to 
prepare for their return to town, the physician having 
strictly forbidden Luther to remain in the open air 
after nightfall. He seemed little inclined to exchange 
the fresh, pure air for the closeness of the narrow 
streets, but found himself unable to resist his wife's 
pleading. With a smile he submitted, saying : " Kate, 
you persuade me to do your will in all things ! ' ' 



CHAPTER XIX. 

RISEN FROM THE DEAD. 

The earth was already thickly covered with snow, 
yet the heavy, white flakes were still falling. The frost- 
flowers upon the windows hid the outside world from 
those within, and the footsteps in the streets sounded 
as though the ground were strewn with broken glass. 
Whoever could, stayed within doors. 

Katharine was packing her husband's travelling 
trunk. He was about to undertake a journey. But 
it was not the thought of the distance, and of her 
own loneliness, that filled her eyes with tears, and her 
heart with anxious forebodings. He was ill, and she 
dreaded the effects of this wintry journey upon his 
enfeebled body. She would have pleaded with him 
to remain at home, had not the Elector so urgently 
desired his presence at Smalcald, where, before the as- 
sembled Protestant princes and representatives, he was 
desired to read the articles he had prepared for sub- 
mission to the General Church Council, to be held aj 
Mantua. 

It was on the first day of February, 1537, when 

(190 



192 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

Luther, wrapped in warm furs, and seated in the car- 
riage sent him by the Elector John Frederick, passed 
out of the Elster gate. Not only Katharine, but many 
a citizen of Wittenberg looked anxiously after the 
traveller, secretly reproaching the Elector for asking of 
the sick man a sacrifice, which might plunge the 
whole Protestant world into sorrow and confusion. 

The days crept slowly by to Katharine. Many 
letters came to the house of the spiritual leader of 
Protestantism ; yet there was none in the well-known, 
rugged handwriting, although Luther had promised to 
send her tidings as soon as possible, especially if any 
harm should befall him. Week after week glided by; 
her fears were slowly stilled, and she began to thank 
God for this new grace. 

On the 2d of March, a messenger rode into the 
court, bringing a letter from the Doctor. Fear seized 
upon Katharine, and her trembling fingers were scarce- 
ly able to open the packet. Yes, there it was written, 
in terribly plain characters, that her forebodings had 
not deceived her. The letter was dated from Gotha, 
the 27th of February, and ran as follows: 

''Grace and peace in Christ! You will have to 
hire other horses, if you need them, dear Kate, for 
His Grace will keep yours, until he can return them 
to you by Master Philip. I myself, leaving Smalcald 



THE WIFE. 193 



yesterday, came hither in the Elector's coach. The 
reason is this, — I have been ill ; rest and sleep for- 
sook me, and food and drink sickened me. I was 
as one dead, and had commended you and the lit- 
tle ones to my dear Lord, thinking I should never 
see you again. I was sorely grieved for you, — yet 
I was prepared for the end. But so many pray- 
ers were made in my behalf, that they have prevailed, 
and I feel as one newly born. Therefore give thanks 
to God, and tell Aunt Lena and the children, to thank 
the Father in Heaven, for without His mercy they 
had surely lost their earthly father. The good prince 
endeavored by all means to procure me relief, but in 
vain. Neither did your remedy against indigestion 
do me any good. It is God alone who has done, 
and still does wonders for me, through, the interces- 
sion of godly persons. 

" This I write you, thinking that His Grace may 
have given orders to have you brought to meet me, 
that, in case I died upon the way, you might once 
more see me and speak with me. But there is no 
longer any need of it, and you can remain at home, 
God having helped me so abundantly that I hope soon 
to return to you in good health. 

" To-day we are at Gotha. I have written you four 
13 



194 KA THARINE VON BORA ; 

times, and am surprised that nothing has reached you. 

"Martin Luther.' ' 

"Tuesday after Re?niniscere, ijj 7 r ." 

With tear-dimmed eyes Katharine read the letter, 
and then broke out in passionate lamentations, that 
she should be so far away from her beloved husband, 
when he most needed her care. She pictured to her- 
self his sufferings, which her imagination painted in 
colors more somber than the reality. Full of her sor- 
row, she forgot to thank God for what He had done, 
until Aunt Lena reminded her of her duty. 

" He wrote me four letters, and I received none of 
them," she complained. "Oh, how he must have 
longed for his wife and children. Yet none but strange 
faces were around him, and strange hands ministered 
to him. No doubt, they were kind and faithful, but 
his friends are not the same as his wife ! ' ' 

She felt like a captive, and would fain have taken 
to herself wings, and hastened to him, whom her soul 
loved. Aunt Lena's arguments were without effect ; 
and indeed, her uneasiness was but the instinct of an 
anxious heart. Through the magic tie of love, the 
souls of husband and wife were so linked together, 
that each in a measure felt the other's pain. Katha- 
rine's torturing anxiety, nowithstanding the reassuring 
tone of the letter, was but the premonition of further 



THE WIFE. 195 



trouble. A relapse again brought her husband to the 
brink of the grave. It seemed to her as though he 
were stretching out his hands, and crying : " Come 
hither, and help me ! ' ' 

She was not deceived. At Gotha Luther again lay- 
sick unto death. Beside him stood Bugenhagen, and 
administered the Body of our Lord. Gathering up 
the last remnants of strength, the sick man said to his 
friends : 

"I know, thank God, that I did right in storming 
the papacy with the Word of God ; for it is a slanderer 
of God, of Christ and the Gospel. Pray my dear 
Philip, Jonas, Cruciger and others, to forgive me, 
wherein I may have wronged them. Comfort my 
Kate, and tell her to accept this sorrow with patience, 
forasmuch as she has had twelve years of happiness 
with me. She has served me faithfully, — may God 
reward her ! You will care for her and the children, 
as far as you are able. My gracious prince, the Elect- 
or, said to me at Smalcald : ' Have no fear for your 
wife, — she shall be to me as my wife, and your chil- 
dren as my children.' And I trust in his promise, 
for he is a truthful man. Greet the deacons of our 
church, tell them to labor in God's name for the Gos- 
pel, as the Holy Spirit prompts them. I will not 
prescribe to them the manner and measure of their 



ig><5 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

labors. May the merciful God strengthen them and 
all others, that they abide by the pure doctrine, and 
thank Him for their deliverance from the Antichrist. 
I have earnestly commended them to the Lord, — He 
will preserve them. I am now ready to die, if it is 
His Will. I commit my soul into the hands of the 
Father and of my Lord Jesus Christ, whom I preached 
and confessed here upon earth ! ' ' 

Thus he spoke, waiting for death, and his voice, 
feeble as it was, yet reached to Wittenberg and was 
felt by the keen sense of love. Katharine's uneasi- 
ness became unbearable, her fears urging her to go to 
him, — perhaps she might be able to save his life. 

She hired a carriage and hurried to Altenberg, pray- 
ing and pleading without ceasing. Spalatin met her 
with the glad news : "The Doctor is coming, — he has 
announced his arrival.' ' And he read to her the 
verses which he had received the day before : 

"See Christ the Lord, my Spalatin, 

In him who seeks a sheltering inn. 

'Tis Luther, ill, would rest with thee, 

'Till he to health restored may be. 

Do so to Luther ! — God regard thee — 

As unto Him, God will reward thee. 

Read in His word, —'tis written there: 
'All of Christ's Body members are/ " 



THE WIFE. 197 



" Be comforted, dear Mistress Luther," continued 
Spalatin ; "it fares better with him, for Melanchthon 
has added a few verses, written in a merry vein. ,, 

Katharine's suspense was soon relieved ; her husband 
arrived on the following day. Although the disorder 
was not wholly cured, yet under her gentle £are he 
soon regained his strength. She endeavored, with 
redoubled attention, to make up for what she had been 
unable to do before, and felt rejoiced when with a 
silent pressure of the hand, or a grateful look, the 
Doctor spoke his thanks. 

When on Maundy Thursday the bells called the 
citizens of Wittenberg to the town-church, they once 
more beheld in the pulpit the well-beloved, familiar 
face, and again received from his inspired lips the 
words of life. 



CHAPTER XX. 

# "LORD ' ' KATE. 

Two miles south of Leipsic, on the road which leads 
to Altenburg, lay, among green meadows and grain 
fields, a secluded little estate, named Zulsdorf. The 
buildings, overshadowed by great oaks, were in a ru- 
inous condition, the leaking roofs and gaping wounds 
in the masonry crying out for repair. In the spacious 
court-yard stood three wagons, loaded with tiles and 
timber, sent by the Elector's orders. Carpenters and 
masons were already at hand, to repair the ravages of 
time, and to put the little vine-covered dwelling- 
house in a habitable condition. 

A woman, going from room to room, was giving 
directions, and noting the progress of the work ; she 
encouraged the workmen to industry, for soon, she 
said, her husband would arrive, and all must be in 
readiness. From the house she went into the stable, 
and inquired of the overseer into the condition of the 
fields ; then she hastened to the garden, to direct the 
maids, who were at work there. Immediately adjoin- 
ing the garden was a marsh, overgrown with bushes 

(i 9 8) 



THE WIFE, 199 



and tangled vines. Here, four men were busily en- 
gaged in draining and filling the waste place with 
good earth. These also received a passing visit and 
words of encouragement. 

It was evident at a glance that this woman was no 
farmer's wife. Yet it was easy to see that she ruled 
with pleasure over her little domain. She looked 
rather pale and wan, as though but lately risen from 
a sick-bed, — but strong, joyous life beamed from her 
eyes. 

From the orchard near by were heard ringing, 
childish voices. A little girl of twelve came running 
to her mother: "Mother, help me. Paul will not 
come down from the pear-tree ; he has torn his jacket, 
and Margaret is eating too many pears ! ' ' 

" Paul is a wild fellow ! " said the mother, following 
her little daughter to the orchard, where punishment 
was speedily meted out to the culprits ; but of so mild 
a nature, that the merriment was scarcely interrupt- 
ed. 

"Come into the house, children/ ' she then said, 
" and hear what the dear father has written from Eis- 
enach;" and all together they repaired to the sitting- 
room, which had already been made comfortable. 

No doubt the reader has guessed that this busy mo- 
ther is no other than Mistress Katharine Luther, and 



200 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

probably wonders, through what means she came into 
this neighborhood. 

A cousin of Luther's, and the former owner of Zuls- 
dorf, had fallen into debt. Urged by Katharine, Lu- 
ther took pity on him, and for 610 florins, lent him. 
by the Elector, bought the estate. 

When he brought his wife the deeds of the purchase, 
her face beamed with pleasure. Life in the country 
had always been her secret desire ; and her garden, 
her dairy and barn-yard, which for so many years had 
supplied the necessities of the large household, had be- 
come her pride. 

Luther, too, was glad of the acquisition of this re- 
tired spot, seeing in it a sheltered home for his wife, 
when he should leave this world. 

For a time it seemed as though God meant to pro- 
vide for Katharine another resting place, — out yon- 
der, where the peaceful dead lay sleeping in their si- 
lent chambers. Hitherto it had been her lot often- 
times to watch by her husband's sickbed, — now it was 
Luther, who knelt beside his suffering wife. The 
plague, which in the year 1539 again visited Witten- 
berg with renewed fury, had spared Luther's house. 
But in February of the following year, Katharine fell 
ill, and grew so rapidly worse, that the physician gave 
up all hope. But there is one remedy, — more potent 



THE WIFE. 20 1 



than all the apothecary's drugs, and this remedy Lu- 
ther knew well how to apply. The great master of 
the art of prayer lay upon his knees, and with his 
prayers wrested his wife from the grasp of death. On 
the 3d of March he wrote to a friend : "My Kate has 
recovered from her illness, which was nigh unto death. 
She again eats and drinks with appetite, and by means 
of tables and benches, she creeps about the house, and 
is once more learning to walk." 

The purchase of Zulsdorf now seemed like an inspi- 
ration from on high. There, in the country-quiet, in 
the fresh, wholesome air, his dear Kate would regain 
her health and strength. 

She hailed the proposition with grateful joy, yet she 
refused to leave, while her husband remained in Wit- 
tenberg. He was soon to go to Hagenau, on the Elec- 
tor's business, and in loving forgetfulness of self, she 
made the preparations for his journey. After his de- 
parture, Katharine, with Lena, Paul and Gretchen re- 
paired to Zulsdorf. John and Martin were obliged to 
stay behind, because of their studies, but obtained 
the promise, that they should follow, when their father 
returned from his journey. 

Katharine had already passed several weeks in the 
pure air, and amid the congenial occupations of her 
country home, and felt so revived and invigorated, 



202 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

that she was able to give her husband the most satis- 
factory reports of her progress. 

Luther's letters also were full of cheering news. 
His faith had achieved another victory, and had 
saved the life of his dear friend, Philip Melanchthon, 
who on the journey to Hagenau, suddenly fell ill. 
The famous physician Sturz, who had attended Luther 
during his illness at Smalcald, stood helpless by the * 
sick man's bedside, when Dr. Martin Luther, that 
hero of love and trusting faith, entered the room. 

His heart misgave him at the sight of his friend's 
glassy eyes and sunken cheeks, and he exclaimed, 
" God preserve us ! How has the Devil marred this 
vessel of thy grace !" His fear endured but for a mo- 
ment. He turned to the window, and with a loud 
voice pleaded with the Lord, to spare the life of his 
friend, — and the dying man was restored. 

The rumor reached Zulsdorf ; and soon after, a let- 
ter, dated the ioth of July, came from Eisenach, 
containing the following : " Master Philip has again 
returned from death to life. He still looks pale, but 
is of good cheer ; jests and laughs with us, and eats 
with a hearty appetite. God be praised for His good- 
ness ! and do you also with us thank the dear Father 
in Heaven.' ' 

A few days later, another letter arrived : 



THE WIFE, 203 



" To my gracious Mistress Katharine Luther, of 
Bora and Zulsdorf, my sweetheart. My dear Mistress 
Kate. This is to inform your grace, that we are all, 
thank God, in good health. We eat like Bohemians, 
yet with moderation ; drink like Germans, also with 
moderation, and are of good cheer,, for our gracious 
lord Bishop Amsdorf, of Magdeburg, is our companion 
at table. — We have had such heat and drought, that 
day and night are well nigh unbearable. Come, thou 
blessed Judgment Day. Amen. 

6 ' Your lover, Martin Luther. ' ' 

In a third letter he announced his coming, and it 
was this one, which Katharine now read to her chil- 
dren : 

" To the Lady of Zulsdorf, Mistress Katharine Lu- 
ther, my love. To-morrow — Tuesday — we purpose 
to leave this place. The diet at Hagenau has accom- 
plished nothing, — labor, and time, and money have 
been wasted. Yet, even though we have done little 
else, we have drawn Master Philip from the grave, 
and will bring him home in good health, if it be God's 
will. Amen. 

I am not certain, whether these letters will find you 
in Wittenberg or in Zulsdorf, otherwise I would 
write you more fully. God bless you ! 

' c Your lover, Martin Luther. ' ' 

Monday after St. James 1 Day, 1J40, 



204 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

The reading was interrupted by shouts of joy from 
the children. Only Lena's face was thoughtful and 
she said : " Dear father does not know where we 
are. How will he come to us ?' ' 

" Never fear, my child/ ' returned her mother, 
" your father will not fail to find the way." 

Three days later the children, who many times each 
day climbed the hill behind the house, from whence 
they could see a long stretch of the road, observed in 
the distance a cloud of dust, — a coach became visible, 
and in hot haste, they ran to meet their father, the two 
older ones mercilessly disregarding the little Gretchen, 
who in her hurry had stumbled and fallen. 

Their shouts brought Mistress Katharine to the 
door. She saw her beloved husband, surrounded by 
the children, whom he had lifted into the wagon, and 
waved a welcome to him with her handkerchief. 

With proud satisfaction she led the Doctor, who 
had scarcely been granted time to change his dusty 
traveling clothes, through her new kingdom, eager to 
show him all its glories. It took time, — for every- 
thing had to be praised and explained. Luther lis- 
tened patiently, for her joy was his, and with un- 
disguised admiration he said at last : " Dear Lord 
Kate, I perceive that you are well qualified to rule 
over your new realm, and I will not withhold my 



THE WIFE. 205 



respectful homage. But more than the kingdom, 
does the king himself please me, who has such 
round, rosy cheeks, and such a fresh, cheerful spirit. " 

In the sitting-room, the maids had in the mean 
time prepared a repast ; and Luther proved to them 
that he had not exaggerated, when he wrote that he 
could eat like a Bohemian, and drink like a German. 
Even though, as was his custom, he ate and drank 
sparingly, yet his food and drink seemed to refresh 
him, and Katharine and the children listened with 
delight, as he related the incidents of his journey. 

Interrupting his story, he suddenly said : " An old 
heathen of Rome, who was so happy as to possess a 
Zulsdorf of his own beyond the city walls, said of it : 

" Ille terrarum mihi praeter omnes 
Angulus ridet" 

" Which, interpreted, means ' Of all the places on 
the earth, this one to me is dearest. ' Thus would I 
also sing. The Lord is very good. He does above 
all that we ask or think. If we petition Him for a 
piece of bread, He gives us a whole field of grain. I 
prayed God to give me back your life, — He gave me 
that, and Zulsdorf besides, and an abundant, fruitful 
year. This is like Paradise, and makes my heart 
warm ! Truly, if after the heat and burden of the 
day, God grants me a season of rest at the end of my 



2o6 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

life, I would fain enjoy it here. I feel each day, that 
my strength is failing, and that my life is drawing to a 
close. When the time comes, I will yield the sov- 
erignty to you, and you shall be my ' lord ' Kate in- 
deed, to whom I will become an obedient subject.' ' 



CHAPTER XXI. 
luther's last will. 

"Man proposes — God disposes.'' He who had la- 
bored more than all the others, was not to enjoy the 
coveted rest. Much still remained for him to do. 
Amid ceaseless toil and endeavor, the great life was to 
reach its end. Many a hard road must be traveled, 
before he should hear the Master's well -beloved voice : 
"Well done, thou good and faithful servant, — enter 
thou into the joy of thy Lord." 

Yet he was weary, and his thoughts were constantly 

fixed upon death. To the many loving questions of 

friends he had but one answer: "Old age has come 

upon me, which is unsightly, cold and dreary. The 

pitcher is carried to the fountain until it breaks. I 

have lived long enough, and now my desire is, that 

God grant me a peaceful end, and that my useless 

body be put beneath the earth among His dead, and 

furnish food for the worms. Methinks the days that 

are past, were better than those that are to come ; for 

it seems as though evil times were drawing near. God 

help His own. Amen." 

(207) 



208 KATHARINE VON BORA ; 

When the Elector, in his loving anxiety, sent his 
court-physician to the ailing man, Luther thanked his 
gracious sovereign for the kindness shown to his old 
and worn-out body, and added : "I would have been 
pleased, had the dear Lord Jesus taken me from hence, 
for I am of little further use upon the earth. ' ' 

It was not the despondency of approaching age, 
which caused him to take this gloomy view of events, 
— but rather the inspired, prophetic eye, which foresaw 
a troubled future. The present was already fraught 
with evil. The waves of political strife ran high. The 
relations between the Protestant and Catholic parties 
were strained to the utmost. In Wittenberg itself, — 
in the very city which had once been the torch-bearer 
of the Reformation, Luther was forced to censure the 
profligacy of the students ; and had personally entered 
the lists against the jurists, and their perversion of equity. 
But the world's answer to his cry of anguish, wrung from 
a Christian conscience, and to the honest testimony 
of the champion of truth, was hatred and enmity. In 
their blindness, men forgot the debt which Christi- 
anity owed to Dr. Martin, and repaid him with insult 
and calumny. All this weighed upon the giant spirit, 
and made the thought of death most welcome to him. 

In this mood he sat in his study one day, in the be- 
ginning of the year 1542, and wrote his last Will and 



THE WIFE. 209 



Testament. He was prepared for its departure, — 
now he would arrange his temporal affairs, and put 
his house in order. 

The document unconsciously shaped itself into a 
testimonial of honor and gratitude toward his wife. 
It seemed as though her husband desired to fix finally, 
in imperishable words, the love and respect he had 
never wearied of expressing. 

The Will, which is still preserved, runs as follows : 
" I, Dr. Martin Luther, do herewith set forth, in my 
own handwriting, that on this present day, and in vir- 
tue of this document, I bequeath to my beloved and 
faithful wife Katharine, during her life-time, and to 
use according to her own pleasure ; 

"Firstly. The estate of Zulsdorf, which I have 
bought and put in order ; 

"Secondly. For her dwelling, the Bruno house, 
which was bought in Wolfgang's name ; 

" Thirdly. The cups and the trinkets, — such as 
rings, chains, silver and gold coins, which may be 
worth altogether about 1,000 florins. 

"This I do, Firstly, because as my pious, true and 
faithful wife, she has at all times given me love and 
honor; and has borne to me and reared by God's 
blessing five living children ; 

"Secondly. Because I desire that she assume and 
14 



2io KATHARINE VON BORA; 



discharge all my debts, (unless I pay them during 
my lifetime), which, as far as I know, amount to about 
450 florins, — perhaps more. 

"Thirdly and chiefly, Because I desire that she 
shall not receive from the children, but they from her ; 
and that they honor her, and be subject to her, as God 
has commanded. I have seen how the Devil, by means 
of evil tongues, incites children to disobey this com- 
mandment, — especially where the mother is a widow, 
and the sons take wives, and the daughters husbands. 
I hold that a mother is the best guardian of her chil- 
dren, and will not use her property to their hurt or 
injury, but rather to their profit and advantage, they 
being her own flesh and blood. 

" If, after my death, she should find herself under 
the necessity, or otherwise prompted to take another 
husband, — for I cannot set a limit to God's Will, — I 
have the sure confidence that she will continue to be a 
faithful mother to our children, and justly share with 
them her inheritance. 

"And I herewith humbly pray my lord, the Elector 
John Frederick, that his grace will kindly confirm and 
administer this my bequest. 

"I moreover request my friends, that they bear wit- 
ness to the innocence of my dear Kate, if evil tongues 
should seek to work mischief, as though she had with- 



THE WIFE. 211 



held anything from the children. I herewith testify- 
that there is nothing beyond the cups and trinkets 
above enumerated. Everybody knows what has been 
my income from my gracious master ; there has not 
been a farthing beyond, save such gifts as are reckoned 
with the trinkets. Yet my small income has sufficed 
for the support of a large household, which I count as 
a great and peculiar blessing. The marvel is, not that 
there is a lack of ready money, but that the debts are 
so few. I make this request, because the Devil, hav- 
ing failed to destroy me, may seek by all means to 
molest my Kate, because she has been, and, thank 
God, still is, Dr. Martini wedded wife. This is my 
earnest and well-considered wish. 

" Martin Luther. 

" Given on the Day of the Epiphany, 15 42." 

On the same day, Luther sent for his friends, Me- 
lanchthon, Cruciger, and Bugenhagen, to affix their 
signatures as witnesses to the document. It was not 
shown to his wife, the Doctor fearing to arouse the 
sadness which overwhelmed her at the thought of sep- 
aration. 

A heavy weight was lifted from his mind, after he 
had thus fulfilled his duty toward his wife and chil- 
dren j and he was able, with greater fervor than ever, 
to say in his daily prayer : " I desire to depart and to 
be with Christ. ,, 



CHAPTER XXII. 

LITTLE LENA. 

It is written that "we must through much tribula- 
tion enter into the kingdom of God," and that 
"whom He loveth, He chasteneth. ,, 

Martin Luther and his wife had already passed 
through deep waters of grief and sorrow, — he, the hero 
in spiritual warfare, leading the way, and she follow- 
ing, keenly alive to every trouble that assailed her hus- 
band. But the season of trials was not yet past, — they 
were still, by God's Will, to taste the bitterest pain 
that can afflict a parent's heart. 

One day, as they sat together under the pear- 
tree, surrounded by their children, the conversation 
chanced upon the sacrifice of Isaac. 

" Good God," said Luther, " what a heart-break it 
must have been to Abraham, when he was commanded 
to slay his only and well-beloved son Isaac ! What a 
painful journey that was, to Mount Moriah, — doubt- 
less he told his wife nothing about it. Truly, had I 
been in his place, I believe I should have withstood. 1 ' 

His wife answered with a sigh: "I cannot grasp 
(212) 



THE WIFE. 



the thought, that God should require of us to sacri- 
fice our own child. 1 ' 

Her objection again brought Luther upon the right 
path: " Dear Kate, yet you can believe that God suf- 
fered His only Son, our dear Lord and Saviour, Jesus 
Christ, to die for us? There was none He loved 
more, in Heaven or on earth, than His Son; — 
and yet He permitted Him to be crucified for us. 
Would not human reason say that God had shown 
Himself more tender and fatherly towards Caiaphas, 
Pilate, Herod, and the others, than toward His only 
Son ? Abraham surely believed in the resurrection of 
the dead, when he was required to sacrifice his son, 
concerning whom the promise had been given, that 
through him the Messiah should be born, as the Epis- 
tle to the Hebrews testifies/ ' 

Katharine could not but admit that he was right ; 
yet her eyes rested wistfully upon her children, at the 
thought that God might demand them of her. 

This conversation was forgotten and the blooming 
health of her children reassured the mother's heart. 
Yet the angel of death was about to gather the fairest 
flower of them all. 

One day in September of 1542, Lena, who was sit- 
ting at work beside her mother, grew suddently pale 
and complained of great pain in her breast. The phy- 



214 KA THAR INK VON BORA ; 

sician, who was summoned immediately, was unable to 
discover the seat of the disorder. He prescribed a 
potion ; but in spite of the remedy, the child grew 
rapidly wx>rse. 

Father and mother watched by her bedside, each 
questioning the other's eyes, as though seeking com- 
fort, and then, in their utter helplessness turning to 
Him, Who alone can save from death. 

The child suffered much pain, but she lay quiet and 
uncomplaining, only the twitching muscles betrayed 
her agony. Her face seemed to grow more beautiful 
at the approach of death, as though the pure soul were 
shining through its transparent garment of flesh. 
When Katharine, seeing the anguish, which she was 
unable to relieve, could not restrain her tears, Lena's 
sweet, pleading eyes seemed to say to her : Do not 
grieve ! 

One morning Lena raised herself in bed, and said to 
her father : " Dear father, I have a great desire to see 
my brother Hans. Will you not send to Torgau, and 
ask Master Krodel, to give him leave of absence ? He 
is diligent, and will quickly make up the lost time." 

Luther tenderly stroked the cold forehead, and 
promised. 

Two days later, Hans arrived. He did not know, 
why he was called home ; for in his letter to Master 



THE WIFE. 215 



Marcus Krodel, under whose instruction Hans was 
placed, Luther had begged him, not to mention Lena's 
illness, therefore great was the boy's alarm, when he 
saw his little sister thus changed. 

Their meeting was touching, — even Luther, the 
strong man, turned away, to hide his tears. 

From day to day the parents' hearts alternated be- 
tween hope and fear. Katharine's anxious eyes sought 
to read the physician's face, dreading to put her ques- 
tion into words. 

There was no lack of sympathy. All the friends of 
the family, — indeed, all Wittenberg, shared in their 
sorrow. 

For two weeks, Katharine had scarcely slept, watch- 
ing her child with the strength of self-forgetting love. 
But at last nature demanded her right. She sank ex- 
hausted upon her bed, and while sleep brought a 
few blessed hours of unconsciousness^ her spirit was 
soothed with a lovely dream-vision. She saw her lit- 
tle daughter, radiant with light, floating upon a cloud, 
and two fair youths coming to lead the maiden to the 
marriage feast. 

In the morning she related her dream to her hus- 
band, and added : " Nothing is impossible with God. 
I take my dream to be a happy omen. ' ' 

Melanchthon, who was present, smiled sadly, and 



2 1 6 KA THARINE VON BORA ; 

when Katharine had left the room, he said: " Do you 
read the vision thus, dear Martin ? I would not take 
from your wife her hope, but knowing that you have 
already yielded the dear child to the Lord, I will tell 
you, what I take its meaning to be. The fair youths 
are the blessed angels, who will lead the maiden into 
the heavenly kingdom, to the true bridegroom. 7 ' 

Luther bowed his head and clasped his hands. Af- 
ter awhile he said : "I love her very dearly, and 
would fain keep her, if it is our Lord's will ; but if it 
pleases Thee, dear Father, to take her, I will gladly 
know her to be with Thee." 

After Melanchthon had gone, Luther returned to 
the sickroom, and seated himself beside the bed. The 
child's eyes were breaking, and her skin was almost 
transparent. 

"Magdalena, my little daughter," said her father, 
with quivering lips, " you are content to stay with 
your father here, — and also content to go to the Fa- 
ther above ? ' ' 

Softly, faintly, came the answer : " Yes, dear father, 
as God pleases." 

The mother was kneeling upon the floor, weeping, 
— her face buried in her hands, — she could not wit- 
ness the child's death. 

Luther sought to comfort her: u Dear Kate, re- 



THE WIFE, 217 



member, whither Lena is going. The lines have fal- 
len unto her in pleasant places. She has a goodly 
heritage. ' ' 

But in the face of the last struggle, his strength for- 
sook him. He sank upon his knees beside the bed, 
and wept bitterly, crying aloud : " O Lord, have 
mercy, and end her suffering ! " 

And God's angels flew softly through the chamber, 
kissed the maiden's brow, and led her home, to the 
heavenly bridegroom. 



Outside, upon the stairs, the other children were 
watching, silently holding each other's hands, when 
one of the maids, with tear-swollen eyes, came to them 
and said ; " You have no longer a sister Lena ! " 

The children cried out, and stared in dismay at the 
messenger of sorrow. Paul sprang to his feet, and 
exclaimed angrily : " It is not true ! She is not dead ! ' ' 

" She is not dead ! " repeated Gretchen, and rose 
to go to her sister. Then their mother came toward 
them, and in her face the children read the truth. 

The house was very silent. Every one stepped soft- 
ly, as though Lena were sleeping, and must not be 
awakened. And not only was Luther's house a house 
of mourning, but every household in Wittenberg 
grieved iu sympathy. 



218 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

With a trembling hand the stricken father wrote to 
his friend Justus Jonas, who in the preceding year had 
removed to Halle : 

" My dearest Jonas ! This is to tell you, that my 
dear daughter Magdalena has been born again, into 
the eternal kingdom of Christ. We, — that is my wife 
and I, — should truly feel only joy and gratitude at this 
happy and blessed departure, by which our child is 
removed from the power of the flesh, the world, the 
Turk and the devil. Yet natural love so masters us, 
that we cannot submit without sobs and tears and much 
heart-breaking. For she had taken a strong hold upon 
our affections, — our gentle, obedient daughter — by her 
looks, her words and her behavior, in life and in death, 
— and even the death of Christ cannot wholly wipe 
away our grief. She was, as you know, of a sweet and 
gentle disposition, and well-beloved of all. Praised 
be our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath thus called and 
glorified her. Oh, that we, and all who are dear to 
us, might have such a death, — yea, and such a life ! 
This I ask of God, the Father of all grace and 
mercy. Martin Luther. ' ' 

Then he sought in prayer the strength he needed, 
for what remained to be done. When he entered the 
death-chamber, the mother was kneeling beside her 
child, whom she had herself prepared for her last rest- 



THE WIFE. 219 



ing-place, and was placing a branch of rosemary be- 
tween the cold fingers. 

How fair and lovely she was, her sweet, little Mag- 
dalena. Even death could not mar nor destroy her 
gentle beauty, which seemed only glorified, — as it will 
be upon the last day, when the grave shall yield up its 
prey, and what was sown in corruption, shall be raised 
in incorruption. 

On the third day, the mortal remains of little Lena 
lay in her flower-strewn coffin, which, because of the 
crowds of people, had been placed in the court under 
the pear-tree. Luther pressed a last kiss upon the still 
face. " Thou dear child, — it is well with thee ! Thou 
wilt rise again, and shine as a star, — yea, as the sun. 
My spirit rejoices, but according to the flesh I am very 
sorrowful ; for parting is painful beyond measure. It 
is strange, — to know that she is at peace, — and yet to 
mourn ! ' ' 

He thanked the people who had came to testify 
their sympathy, adding : " Rejoice with me, for I 
have now a blessed saint in Heaven. Oh! may we 
all have such a death as hers ! " 

" Yes, Reverend Doctor/ ' exclaimed a voice from 
the crowd, " you say truly, — yet every one would fain 
keep his own," 

Luther replied : "I am glad, that she is in Heaven ; 
my sorrow is all of the flesh. 7 ' 



220 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

Then Katharine, supported by Melanchthon's wife, 
tottered toward the coffin, to bid her child a last fare- 
well. At the sight of her, the bystanders began to 
weep and lament aloud, and Wolfgang, who had also 
approached, turned away — he could not see the 
mother's grief. 

Lena's grave was beside that of her sister Eliza- 
beth, and for the second time, Wolfgang must needs 
force his trembling hands to fashion a cross, upon 
which Luther wrote these words : 

11 1 little Magdalen, sleep here, 
I'm Doctor Luther's daughter dear, 
In this small chamber I shall rest, 
Till summoned forth with all the blest ; 
Tho' born in sin, not lost am I — 
As was decreed — eternally. 
I live, and all is well and good : 
Christ ransomed me with His own blood." 

When Luther returned from the burial, he said to 
his wife. " Our little daughter is at rest, both in body 
and soul. We Christians should not murmur, — know- 
ing that it must be thus, and being sure of eternal life : 
for God's promise, given through His dear Son, can- 
not fail." 

"Ah, you are a strong man," sighed Katharine; 
"but a mother cannot so quickly master her sorrow, 



THE WIFE. 221 



and a woman's heart is a weak and timid thing. God 
will have patience with me — I will not murmur. ' ' 

"Weep freely, dearest Kate," said Luther, "there- 
fore were tears given us, and God knows best, what 
miserable vessels of clay we are. He remembers, that 
we are but dust, and bears with us, that His strength 
may be made perfect in our weakness. And consider 
this : Time is short ; in a little while we shall meet 
again with rejoicing, and our joy no man taketh from 
us." 

She clasped her hands, lifted her sad eyes toward 
Heaven, and prayed : " Yea, Lord Jesus, come 
quickly." 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

ONCE MORE IN ZULSDORF. 

Three years had passed. To the loss of their child, 
another sorrow was added. Soon after Lena's death, the 
wife of Justus Jonas died. She was a good and noble 
woman, Katharine's dearest friend; and it was to her, 
Luther hoped, his wife might after his death, look for 
comfort and support. Once more, Luther's house 
was turned into a house of mouring. But in time the 
wounds healed, — and sharp grief gave place to lov- 
ing, tender memories. 

The simple, peaceful life at Zulsdorf had done much 
to restore the stricken hearts. Small and modest as was 
their home, yet to the great man it was a paradise, 
and to Katharine's contented spirit, a kingdom. Her 
taste for improvements involved her in many a strug- 
gle with the Elector's dishonest officials, who sought 
to draw their own profit from every delivery of build- 
ing material. Yet these annoyances were as nothing, 
compared with the delights of country life. 

Again, we find her busy in her domain, assisting 
Gretchen in wreathing the entrance with evergreens, 
(222) 



THE WIFE. 223 



and in strewing fresh sand upon the paths. 

It was a glorious morning in July. Sweet summer 
scents rose from the fields, the clear air rang with 
the song of birds and the chirping of insects, and all 
created things seemed full of the joy of life. 

" They must soon be coming," said Katharine, her 
eyes scanning the distant road. But hours passed; 
and it was already afternoon, when Katharine, from 
the garden, heard the sound of approaching wheels. 
She hastened to the court, — a wagon rolled in at the 
gate, and Luther and his son John alighted. 

"Praised be God, we are here," exclaimed Lu- 
ther, after the first greeting was over. "I feel like 
a mariner, who has reached a safe harbor, after the 
dangers and tempests of the sea. I thank the dear 
heavenly Father, that He has prepared this refuge for 
me. His mercy is with me evermore." 

He seemed tired, and his face was pale and worn. 
After he had refreshed himself with a cup of milk and 
a piece of bread, he sat down beside his wife, and 
turning to John and Margaret, said : 

" Go away for a little while, children ; I need rest." 

He lay down upon a couch, and taking his wife's 
hand, looked long and earnestly into her face. 
"My dear wife," he said at last, " I have much to 
tell you, that will no doubt astonish you. I cannot 



224 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

continue in Wittenberg, and I have bidden farewell to 
the city, where I labored for seven and thirty years. ' ' 

" Doctor/' cried Katharine, in amazement. 

Luther continued : " It was a difficult decision 
to make; but it must needs be. My heart has 
grown cold, and I cannot abide in a city, where dis- 
order and lawlessness reign supreme; where none 
heed my voice, and even the theologians no longer 
stand firm. Among the young people the profligacy 
of former times has broken out again, and even honest 
maidens go about the streets, arrayed in an unseemly 
manner. The priests aid the disorderly doings, bf 
favoring secret betrothals. It is my wish therefore, 
that you sell our house, and all that we possess in 
Wittenberg. It would be best for us to continue here 
at Zulsdorf, while I am with you ; and my salary, 
which the Elector will not withdraw, will assist in 
keeping the household. After my death the various 
elements in Wittenberg will not suffer you to dwell 
there. It were better, therefore, that the change were 
made during my life-time. On my journey hither, I 
learned many things, that made me weary of the town, 
and I will not return to it, unless it be God's Will. The 
' day after to-morrow I wish to go to Merseburg, where 
our dear prince George of Anhalt is at present adminis- 
tering the bishopric. He has been found faithful beyond 



THE WIFE. 225 



measure, not only attending diligently to the outward 
duties of his office, but preaching to his people from 
the pulpit. I will rather eat the bread of poverty 
hereafter, than torture my few remaining days with 
the sight of the misrule at Wittenberg, and lose the 
fruits of my toilsome life. They know nothing as yet 
of my determination, which was formed on the way. 
I will write to Bugenhagen and to master Philip, — 
they may make it known to the University. ' ' 

While he spoke, Katharine moved closer to her hus- 
band. Her eyes brightened, as he proceeded. When 
he paused, she pressed his hand, and said : " Dearest 
Doctor, you are giving me a great pleasure. I have 
long wished that we might remain here, where it is 
so full of God's peace. Yet I fear, that they will not 
suffer you to rest, but will urge you back again into 
the struggle. ' ' 

" Be at ease, dear wife," said Luther, "it shall be 
as God wills. I will write at once." 

She brought him pen, ink and paper, and an hour 
later, he entrusted to the coachman, ^who had brought 
him, two letters, to be delivered on his return to 
Wittenberg. 

Three happy, restful days followed. The quiet re- 
stored Luther's spirits. He noted with interest the 
well-planned improvements made by his wife ; tasted 
IS 



226 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

and enjoyed the various fruits, grown on his own trees, 
and addressed many a merry, jesting speech to his 
"lord " Kate. The affection and trustfulness of his 
laborers gave him much pleasure. He conversed with 
them in their own language, and they were greatly re- 
joiced at the kindliness of the great man, of whom 
they knew that he was the friend of kings and nobles. 

After a few days he felt so refreshed, that he was 
able to set out upon the journey to Merseburg, in the 
carriage sent him by prince George. On the 2d of 
August, he accompanied the princely ecclesiastic to 
Halle, where the latter was to receive the rite of ordi- 
nation at his hands. He preached in the Cathedral to 
vast crowds of people, and then proceeded to Leipsic, 
where men were longing to hear the words of truth 
from his lips. 

When he returned to Zulsdorf, he found his wife in 
tears. Again, her forebodings had been verified. 
"Ah, dearest Doctor/ ' she cried, " our joy is at an 
end. Here is a letter from the Elector, — it came yes- 
terday. ' ' 

Luther read the Elector's words of dismay and sor- 
row at his determination. The sovereign gave his 
solemn promise, if Luther consented to remain at 
Wittenberg, to use his influence in removing the causes 
of his complaints, whose justice he admitted. He 



THE WIFE. 227 



most urgently entreated him to desist from his pur- 
pose, which would have further disastrous consequen- 
ces ; Melanchthon having declared that he would not 
remain in Wittenberg, without his friend Martin. 

Luther had scarcely finished, when a stir was heard 
without. As he opened the door, Melanchthon and 
the burgomaster of Wittenberg, Ambrose Reuter en- 
tered. They added their pleadings to those of the 
Elector, and were, if possible, even more pressing. 

Luther could not resist. "As God pleases," he 
said resignedly, with a glance toward his wife, who 
stood by the window, scarcely able to restrain her 
tears. 

It was like a triumphal procession, when on the 
1 6th of August, Luther, with his wife and eldest son, 
seated in the carriage sent him by the Senate of Wit- 
tenberg, entered the Elstergate. The better elements 
welcomed the beloved teacher with jubilant delight ; 
many of the erring ones repented, and those that re- 
mained incorrigible, were summarily dealt with by the 
University and the municipal authorities. With in- 
ward satisfaction, Luther saw this return to better 
things, a result to which he gladly sacrificed the 
coveted rest \ as, all his life long, it had been the rule 
of his thinking and acting, to forget himself, for the 
welfare of others. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

PARTING. 

The storm raged furiously, dashing heavy masses of 
snow against the windows. The rooks hid in the 
crevices of the masonry, scarcely venturing forth in 
search of their daily bread. Men whose business 
forced them to go abroad, wrapped themselves in 
their warm cloaks, which failed to defend them against 
the piercing cold. 

Mistress Katharine sat at home, with Margaret, her 
youngest child. Her face was pale and care-worn, 
and told of many sleepless nights. Anxiety for her 
husband lay like a stone upon her heart ; for again he 
had been obliged to leave his home, — the man, now 
old, feeble, and broken in health, for whom there was 
to be no rest upon earth. 

In October and December of the past year, at the 
request of the counts of Mansfeld, he had journeyed to 
his former home, to act as peacemaker between the 
discordant factions. Now, he had gone for the third 
time, and days of sorrow and anxiety had followed his 
departure. Katharine had no peace. She sought the 
(228) 



THE WIFE. 229 



seclusion of her chamber, to dwell in spirit with her 
absent husband, until the solitude grew unbearable. 
But when she saw in Margaret's eyes the reflection of 
her own fears, she again longed to be alone. 

She knew that her husband was tenderly cared for 
by her three sons and their tutor, Ambrose Rudtfelt ; 
but it was not within their power to stay the inclemen- 
cy of the weather, nor relieve the pains which tortured 
him. And from her heart rose the passionate prayer : 
"Lord, if Thou wouldst but send the springtime, for 
Thy servant's sake ! " 

And behold, — the spring came ! 

The wind changed, the ice broke, and the snow 
melted before the warm breath of the south. 

With a grateful heart, Katharine breathed the balmy 
air. The lark's trill overhead seemed to her the voice 
of an angel, bringing God's answer to her prayer; 
and her lips whispered : " Thou art the God, that 
doest wonders ! ' ' 

The following day, she was able to add: "Thou 
doest exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or 
think !" A letter arrived, dated from Halle, which 
quieted her fears. Again she read the precious, fa- 
miliar, jesting words, and knew that her husband was 
of good cheer. Gretchen was quickly called, to hear 
the letter read : 



230 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

" To my dear, kind Katharine Luther in Wittenberg. 
Grace and peace in the Lord. Dear Kate : We ar- 
rived in Halle to-day at 8 o'clock, but did not go to 
Eisleben, having met a huge Anabaptist, with high 
waves and masses of ice, which overran the earth, and 
threatened us with immersion. Neither could we re- 
turn, because of the Mulda, and must fain lie quiet 
here at Halle, between the waters. Not that we de- 
sire to drink them, for we have good Rhenish wine, 
and Torgau beer ; we have refreshed ourselves and are 
of good cheer, waiting for the Saale to spend its fury. 
The coachmen, and we also, fear to tempt God by 
venturing into the water, inasmuch as the Devil hates 
us, and we think it wiser to avoid misfortune, than to 
regret it afterwards ; nor do we deem it necessary, to 
give the pope and his servants cause for rejoicing. I 
had not believed it possible, that the Saale could cause 
such a disturbance, and that it would thus flood the 
stony roads. Had you been here, you would have 
advised us to do as we have done ; and for once, your 
advice would have been followed. 

" God bless you, Amen ! Martin Luther. 

"Halle, on the feast of the Conversion 
of St. Paul, A. D. 1546." 

The joy caused by this letter was still fresh, when 
another followed, dated from Eisleben : 



THE WIFE. 231 



" To my dearest mistress Katharine Luther, Doctor 
of Zulsdorf, lady of the pig market, and so forth. 

" Grace and peace in Christ, and my poor, old, 
worn-out love to you, my dear Kate. I was very faint 
on the road, as we neared Eisleben, — by my own fault. 
Had you been here, you would have said it was the 
Jews 7 doing ; for near Eisleben we passed through a 
village, where many Jews are living. Perhaps it was 
they who attacked me with so fierce a blast ; for as we 
reached the village, a cold wind blew into the carriage 
and upon my head, that it seemed as though my brain 
were turning to ice. This may have caused the diz- 
ziness. But I am now, thank God, well again, except 
that the fair women of this place give me much trouble. 

"When the more important matters are arranged, I 
must see to it, that we take some measures with regard 
to the Jews. Count Albert does not favor them, and 
if it is God's Will, I shall help him from the pulpit. . . 

"The day before yesterday, your sons went to 
Mansfeld, Hans having begged the others to go with him. 
I do not know what they are doing there. If it were 
still cold, they might be shivering ; but now that it is 
warm, they may do and suffer other things, as it 
pleases them. May God bless you and all the house- 
hold. My greetings to all, 

" Martin Luther, your old lover. 

"February ist y 1546" 



2 $2 KA THAR IX E I VX B OR A ; 

The letters which followed, written on the sixth, 
seventh, and tenth of February, brought good tidings, 
and relieved Katharine of all uneasiness. Luther 
jestingly thanked her, "the saintly mistress Kcl" 
rine Luther, in Wittenberg," for her anxiety in his 
behalf, which kept her awake at night. He tells her 
that, since she has been thus troubling herself, a fire 
broke out near his chamber-door, which might have 
consumed him ; and that furthermore, a great stone 
almost fell upon his head, by which he would have 
been crashed, as in a mousetrap. " I fear, if you do 
not cease from troubling, that the earth will open and 
swallow us, and the elements pursue us to our destruc- 
tion. Do you pray, and leave the care of us all to 
God ; for it is written : Cast thy burden upon the 
Lord, and He shall sustain thee." 

Luther's last letter, of the 14th, brought great re- 
joicing to his family, "Father is coming! Father is 
coming!" shouted little Margaret, falling upon her 
mother's neck. 

He has finished his work: he has reconciled the 

ions, and sent home a basket of trout, a gift from 

mtess Albert, and his bodily suffering is less. 

Everywhere he received high honors, he says, yet he 

longs to be at home, and hopes to reach it before the 

end of the week. 



THE wn 



: thtr is con: mg Father es coming / ' * 

H-;- .:../.t : ':.;: jv.s ':. : iir-c ::::.:r._; v. -15 r. :: as :::t:::.d 
;.ta::s ::ls -.v::t ar.d cdd.d Lad a :::ei. 

Why are the bells tolling thus mournfully through- 
out the German land? What is the meaning of the 
bitter tears, shed by the German people ! Why does 
the Elector's messenger stand sad and trembling at 
the door of Lather's house in Wittenberg, fearing to 
deliver to mistress Luther the letter he bears? His 
heart is well-nigh breaking, — he brings her the mes- 
sage, that since jesterday, she is a widow — her chil- 
d:ea or? ham ' 

A long and mournful procession moved along the 

::ad :*::ra E:s--dta. 7a ty "t:e :::aa:aa :ae :aaa 
of God, who had journeyed to his old home, that 
his birth-place might also become the place of his 
death. Behind the heavy, leaden coffin followed a 

; :::i:.'. ::" aaaaratrs. Ad aad . ;-s: 2. :t.\ zi fadaer. — 
all were orphaned by his death. From every church- 
. .- ::i:e: ::a r :- -a: :":;:/. :ati: Laa: dare A. 
In the villages the peasants left their work, put on 

:_. :e ::::.":: dae araces- 

s::a : Aiaz :a± c::y ^aats. dae c.trry. dae :>eaa:e. die 

Ae aai dae :aa~a 5 ; sad aa= aad a.aaaas. 



234 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

came forth to meet the sad convoy. 

As they approached Wittenberg, its streets grew 
silent and deserted, for all the people had hastened 
out upon the road leading to Pratau. 

In her lonely chamber sits a widow ; her hands lie 
folded in her lap ; her eyes are red with weeping ; she 
is weary — oh so weary. Her heart is exhausted ; she 
can scarcely grasp a thought ; and like a blessed gift 
of God, a dull apathy has setttled upon her spirit, and 
blunted her grief. Her husband is dead, and she 
could not be at his side, at the supreme moment. If, 
by God's counsel, she was destined to lose him, must 
she be denied the last consolation of ministering to 
him, and closing his eyes ? 

She sat still, — unknowing, unheeding, overwhelmed 
by her great, unspeakable grief ! 

Hark ! the bells are tolling ! The people are stream- 
ing into the streets ! 

She rose and pressed both hands to her head. 

The faithful Wolfgang entered, pale and trembling. 
Scarcely restraining his sobs, he took her hand. 

" The Doctor is coming, — let us go to meet him ! " 

Katharine suffered him to lead her. She saw noth- 
ing of the surging crowd. The world was blotted 
from her sight, — all, save the coffin that held her hus- 
band's clay, and was followed by an endless proces- 



THE WIFE. 235 



sion of lords and noblemen on horseback, professors, 
students, senators, and countless multitudes of men, 
women and children, all weeping and lamenting aloud 

She was led to a little carriage that had been pro- 
vided for her, and thus she followed her beloved hus- 
band, whose face she was never again to see upon 
earth. 

The procession moved toward the Castle-church, 
and entered the door, upon which, twenty-nine years 
ago, the hands, now cold in death, had nailed the 
ninety-five theses, and the blows of whose hammer re- 
echoed throughout Christendom. Justus Jonas, who 
in Eisleben had spoken before the open coffin, 
preached the funeral sermon on 1 Thess. 4: 13-18. 
His words were scarcely heard amid the sobs and cries 
of the people. Melanchthon, in the name of the 
University, then delivered a latin address, and the re- 
mains of the prophet of God sank into their last rest- 
ing place at the foot of the altar. 

Katharine looked on. Her heart was empty. She 
had no tears. 

When all was over, Melanchthon, the faithful, took 
her by the hand, and led her to her home, now so 
silent and desolate. He sought to comfort her, but 
his words seemed cold and powerless, over against 



236 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

such sorrow as hers. She found her children and her 
household. awaiting her. When they saw her, they 
broke out into fresh lamentations. 

Then God sent her help. In the face of the uni- 
versal mourning, her heart awoke to renewed trust in 
God ; and with glowing eyes and uplifted hands she 
cried: " My flesh and my heart faileth ; but God is 
the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." 



BOOK THIRD. 



KATHAKIE"E VOK BOEA; 



THE -WI3DO-W. 



(237) 



CHAPTER XXV. 

ALONE. 

The woman who, for her husband's sake, might 
with reason have looked for exemption from the com- 
mon fate of widowhood, was made to experience to the 
full the dreariness of her condition, and the world's 
ingratitude. But mankind is subject to the universal 
law, that "we must through much tribulation enter 
into the kingdom of God ; ' ' and the question is si- 
lenced, which involuntarily suggests itself: Lord, why 
hast Thou dealt thus severely with poor Katharine ? 

One day an official of the Elector's chancery 
knocked at the door of the chancellor, Dr. Briick, in 
Wittenberg, and after considerable delay and much 
formality was ushered into the presence of the distin- 
guished man. 

Dr. Gregory von Briick was of a tall and imposing 
stature. His fine features and lofty brow betokened a 
keen and vigorous intellect, and his brilliant, expres- 
sive eyes gave evidence of great mental activity. It 
was he who, at the diet of Augsburg, together with 
his colleague, Dr. Baier presented to the Emperor the 

(239) 



240 KATHARINE VON BORA ; 

Confession of the Lutheran faith ; and from that day- 
forward his power and influence had steadily increased. 
He was a frequent visitor at Luther's house, and al- 
though the cool reserve which the chancellor always 
maintained toward Katharine, annoyed the Doctor, 
yet it did not prevent him from doing justice to the 
merits of his friend. Luther never asked the reason 
of the chancellor's behavior. Had he done so, the 
other would doubtless have learned better to appreciate 
the wife of the great Doctor. 

"What is your wish?" Briick demanded of the 
counselor, who, bowing with great deference, re- 
plied : 

" His grace the Elector, sends you his greeting, and 
desires that you will give your opinion regarding the 
affairs of Dr. Luther's widow, his Grace trusting that 
you, as Luther's friend, will prove yourself a defender 
and protector of this widow." 

Bruck's eyes assumed an impenetrable expression, 
while his white hands toyed with a pen. 

The counselor paused for a reply, and then con- 
tinued: "You doubtless know, that she has sent a 
petition to his Grace ! " 

" A petition ? " interrupted Briick, glancing sharp- 
ly toward the speaker. "It was so rumored; but in 
this matter she has not confided in me. Do you know 



THE WIDOW. 241 



the contents of the petition ?" 

"I know them," was the answer, "and it was to 
learn your opinion in the matter, that his Grace sent 
me hither." 

" Say on ! " urged the chancellor. 

"You probably are aware," the counselor began, 
" that during the life-time of Dr. Martin, the Elector 
presented him with a capital of 1,000 florins, of which 
he enjoyed the interest during his later years. To 
this, — out of pity toward the family, and out of grati- 
tude for the reformer's great services — his Grace de- 
sires to add a second thousand, to relieve somewhat 
the widow's needy condition. She has in her peti- 
tion requested, that the promised 2,000 florins be in- 
vested in land, which yields a better income. She 
says further that the estate of Wachsdorf, adjoining her 
own estate of Zulsdorf, is for sale, that her late husband 
admired it. and that it can be bought for 2,000 flor- 
ins." 

The chancellor moved impatiently upon his seat. 
" This is a bad beginning. Does the woman dare to 
approach the Elector with a falsehood ! Would she 
have it appear, that her husband coveted the land ? I 
perceive her meaning. She is not satisfied with Zuls- 
dorf, but must needs have a larger estate to manage 
and rule. If the Elector does her will, she will begin 
16 



242 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

to build and make improvements in Wachsdorf, as she 
did elsewhere, and will waste much money, More- 
over, Wachsdorf is an unprofitable possession, — it is 
well known, that each spring the fields are flooded by 
the Elbe." 

The counselor shook his head. " Pardon me, sir 
chancellor; I am well acquainted with Wachsdorf, 
having often been there in my youth, and I never 
heard of the disadvantage you mention. I hold it to 
be cheap at 2,000 florins, and the widow no doubt de- 
sires to possess it, for her children's sake." 

The chancellor's face flushed, and he harshly ex- 
claimed : " Her children ? It is chiefly for their 
sake, that I oppose the purchase. For what will fol- 
low ? The boys will waste their time with riding and 
bird catching, instead of sitting at their books. Mis- 
tress Katharine is very weak with her children, and 
unable to oppose them. It would be well therefore, 
if the boys were taken from her, and placed with com- 
petent tutors. But she is stubborn and refuses this, 
even as she refused my well-meant offer of giving 
Hans a position in the Elector's chancery. (Her ob- 
stinacy will make it difficult to find guardians, every 
one knowing that he will have a hard time with the 
woman. I fear, moreover, that her ambition and 
avarice will prevent her from acting justly by her chil- 



THE WIDOW. 243 



dren, especially if, as I expect, she marries again." 

"O sir," exclaimed the counselor indignantly, 
"how can you entertain such suspicions against a poor 
widow, of whom others speak very differently. % ' 

The chancellor lifted his hand: "Do not excite 
yourself. What you know, is from hearsay, — I have 
known her during many years of intercourse with her 
husband." 

"I know her better than from hearsay 4 " replied the 
other, "I read the Doctor's last will and testament, 
which he wrote in 1542, and which was submitted to 
his Grace for confirmation. From this document it is 
evident that Luther, who surely knew his wife better 
than any, trusted her entirely. Methinks the Elector 
has sent me to the wrong man, — to the widow's 
accuser rather than her defender. His Grace expected 
other things from you, and I would gladly be excused 
from carrying your message to him." 

Briick rose from his chair, and excitedly paced the 
room, then suddenly pausing before the counselor, he 
said in a gentler tone : " You misunderstand me, and 
do me injustice in thinking me unfriendly toward 
Mistress Luther. I assure you, thar I am only con- 
cerned for her welfare, although my advice may dis- 
please her. But I will relieve you of your duty, and 
write to the Elector myself." 



244 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

The counselor breathed a sigh of relief : "Accept 
my thanks therefor, sir chancellor. May God give 
you wisdom to do the right, and a merciful heart to- 
ward the poor widow, whose lot is more pitiable than 
any other. Remember the old saying : " The widow's 
tears must needs flow, but they cry out against him 
who calls them forth.' ' 

The chancellor, slightly frowning, turned his eyes 
upon the other with a questioning glance, and dismissed 
him. 

Then he wrote his report to the Elector. 

Meanwhile, the counselor was sitting with the widow 
of the reformer, to form, if possible, his own opin- 
ion. He met there Master Philip Melanchthon, and 
remained three hours. From the heartiness with which 
he took leave of Mistress Katharine, it may be sup- 
posed that he was favorably impressed by what he saw 
and heard. 

Two days later, he was summoned to the Elector, 
whom he found sitting at his writing-table with a let- 
ter in his hand. 

"I expected you yesterday, dear Veit," said the 
Elector, "I wished to hear from your lips the view 
taken by our chancellor Briick, regarding the petition 
of Dr. Luther's widow. In the mean time I have re- 
ceived this letter, in which the chancellor gives his 



THE WIDOW. 245 



opinion more circumstantially. It has surprised me 
greatly, being written in a tone, that is far from 
friendly to the widow of our dear Doctor. He surely 
knows her well, having been much in Luther's house ; 
and I must needs believe him, although I had imag- 
ined Doctor Luther's wife to be a very different 
woman." 

With a bow, the counselor said : ' ' Will your Grace 
permit me to give my opinion ? ' ' 

" Say on, dear Veit," urged the Elector, leaning for- 
ward to listen. 

The counselor began: "Master Briick is a highly 
learned man, and of great ability, which none will dis- 
pute. He has a clear eye in discerning the nature of 
things in general ; bnt here his judgment is at fault. 
He does injustice to the widow of Dr. Martin, and 
esteems her less highly than she deserves. I went to 
her myself, wishing to know her personally; and what 
I saw, and what Melanchthon told me, convinces me, 
that the chancellor is in error. I therefore pray your 
Grace, not to lay too much weight upon his communi- 
cation, but to grant the widow's petition/' 

The Elector held out his hand : "I thank you from 
my heart, dear Veit. You have done me a great ser- 
vice/ ' and the counselor withdrew. When the 
Elector was alone, he re-read the chancellor's letter. 



246 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

Then, lifting his eyes to a portrait of Luther, which 
hung upon the wall opposite, he exclaimed : " No, 
posterity shall not accuse me of faithlessness ! Martin, 
thou glorified spirit, I promised thee with hand and 
lips, that thy wife and thy children should be to me as 
my own, and I will keep my promise. Even though 
thy wife were undeserving, yet, for thy sake, I would 
help her. Who could worthily repay thee, thou ben- 
efactor of mankind, the fountain, from which shall 
spring life and blessing to generations yet unborn ! " 

In the Luther-house at Wittenberg, sacred hence- 
forth to grief, Mistress Katharine, the widow, with her 
children, gave thanks to the Lord, who had visited 
them in their affliction. " Thou art a father of the 
fatherless, and a judge of the widows," faltered the 
pale lips, " Thou hast not hidden thyself from us, and 
hast given us beyond what we ask or think/ ' 

Help had come from three quarters. The Elector 
of Saxony, John Frederick the Magnanimous, con- 
firmed Luther's Will, written in the year 1542, and 
made his family a gift of the 2,000 florins, which were 
invested for the children in the estate of Wachsdorf. 

On the following day, a letter came from the counts 
of Mansfield, bringing a further gift of 2,000 florins, 
which was to be put at interest for 100 florins annually. 



THE WIDOW. 247 



And lastly, the king of Denmark, Christian III., sent 
50 ducts, with the promise that the pension, which 
Luther with two other theologians of Wittenberg, had 
during the last years of his life, received from him, 
should be continued to his widow. 

Here was help indeed, — not much among so many, 
it is true, — but in Luther's school, Katharine had 
learned contentment, gratitude toward the Ruler of 
hearts, and trust in the divine Helper. 

As a further evidence of God's mercy, men well- 
known for their honor and integrity, offered them- 
selves as guardians for herself and her children. The 
captain Asmus Spiegel, and her brother, Hans von 
Bora, were to act as her advisers, while the care of 
the children's interests was given over to the Burgo- 
master, Ambrose Reuter, the Electors' court-physician, 
Melchior Ratzenberger, and Luther's own brother, 
Jacob. The Professors Melanchthon and Cruciger 
offered themselves as additional guardians, to see to it, 
that their beloved Doctor's children were brought up 
in the fear of God and in the true doctrine. 

The oldest, John, now a youth of twenty, wished to 
continue his studies, which was granted him. The 
two younger ones, Paul and Martin, were left in their 
mother's care ; their tutor, Ambrose Rudtfeld, having 
proved himself a competent and conscientious teacher, 



248 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

he was retained. Gretchen, eleven years old, natu- 
rally remained with her mother. 

The widow's trust in God was not deceived. Her 
means were scant, it is true. But Katharine had not 
in vain spent twenty years under the influence of her 
husband's noble nature. The lessons she had learned 
now proved their value, — and she reaped the interest 
upon her spiritual capital. 

But it is written : " How unsearchable are His 
judgments, and his ways past finding out." Thou art 
a God that hideth Himself, and wonderful are Thy 
dealings with men ! Katharine's trials were not yet 
ended, and her tortured heart must needs pass through 
the purifying fires of further sorrow. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

WAR. 

"Evil times are at hand," Luther often said, and 
the great man had scarcely closed his eyes, when the 
storm burst. 

It had long been evident to discerning eyes, that 
the Emperor Charles V was only seeking a convenient 
pretext, for destroying with the sword the fruits of 
Luther's labors. Realizing their danger, the protest- 
ant princes and Cities had formed the Union of Smal- 
cald, and their defensive measures stirred the Empe- 
ror's wrath to a still fiercer glow. He was playing a 
double game ; false alike toward the Protestants and 
the Pope, he sought merely to strengthen his own pow- 
er in an Empire, to whose very language he was a 
stranger. 

Having, by means of specious promises, gained the 
Pope for his purposes, he sought aid in Germany it- 
self for the war of extermination. The Duke of Bava- 
ria was speedily won by the promise of the Elector's 
hat. Other, smaller potentates, were lured with small- 
er bribes. Even in the camp of the Protestant prin- 

(249) 



250 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

ces, to their shame be it said, the Emperor found al- 
lies; Hans, Margrave of Ktistrin, and Eric, Duke 
of Brunswick- Calenburg, were not ashamed to wear the 
Imperial colors. Not content w r ith these acquisitions, 
the Emperor coveted the alliance of the young and 
ambitious Duke Moritz of Saxony, to gain whose good 
will, he encouraged the quarrel between the young 
Duke and his cousin, the Elector John Frederick of 
Saxony. For the Judas-reward of the Saxon elector- 
ate, Duke Moritz betrayed the Protestant faith. 

Having secured these confederates, the Emperor 
openly continued his preparations. To the ques- 
tions of the allies as to his intentions, he scornfully re- 
plied : That his purpose w r as to chastise certain unruly 
German princes, who, under the guise of religion, cast 
contempt upon the imperial majesty. 

It became necessary therefore, to devise a plan, by 
which the chastisement designed for themselves, might 
rather fall upon the Emperor's back. 

The affairs of the Protestants wore a promising as- 
pect. Jn Upper Germany an army of 47,000 men was 
speedily organized under the valiant general Schartlin, 
and it would have been an easy matter to capture the 
Emperor, who with 9,000 men lay before Ratisbon. 
Schartlin urged immediate action; but an ill-timed 
sentiment of delicacy, which forbade the allies to en- 



THE WIDOW. 251 



ter the territory of the neutral Duke of Bavaria, caused 
them to hesitate. Their indecision gave the Emperor 
time to reinforce his army, and courage, to put the 
Elector of Saxony and the Landgrave of Hesse under 
the ban of the Empire. 

Uniting their forces with those under Schartlin, the 
two outlawed princes advanced upon the imperial ar- 
my. Much had been lost, but the Emperor might 
still have succumbed to the superior strength of the 
Protestants. Again their hesitation and indecision 
came to his aid. Winter set in. Moritz had gained 
time to occupy the Saxon territory and to instal him- 
self as the new sovereign. There was nothing left for 
the ex-elector, but to return in haste and re-conquer 
his electorate. Schartlin' s army ran short of provis- 
ions. The free cities, losing courage, submitted, one 
by one, to the Emperor, who in the beginning of 1547 
found himself master of the whole of Southern Germa- 
ny. Shortly after, the Rhenish provinces were lost to 
Protestantism. 

Then the tide turned. 

There was great rejoicing in the Saxon land. The 
streets were thronged with people. Cannon thundered 
from the ramparts ; bells rang ; flags streamed from the 
church-towers ; an eager enthusiasm spread from village 
to village, from town to town. The elector, outlawed by 



252 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

the Emperor, robbed of his sovereignty, had returned 
to his devoted subjects. Their love was his triumphal 
chariot, his sword and buckler, the banner under 
which he not only recovered his own inheritance, but 
conquered a goodly portion of his ambitious cousin's 
territory. John Frederick of Saxony, whose destruc- 
tion had been planned, rose to a higher pinnacle of 
power than he had ever before occupied. The Empe- 
ror trembled with fear and anxiety, and the knowledge 
that his infamous transaction with Duke Moritz stood 
revealed before the eyes of all Germany, broke the 
last remnant of his courage. 

He considered his cause well-nigh lost, and des- 
pair seized upon his mind. Already it was rumored, that 
the Bohemians had joined the Elector ! If this were 
true, then all hope was at an end. Fortunately for 
him, however, and unfortunately for the Elector, the 
Bohemians maintained an inexplicable inactivity, al- 
lowing their advantages to slip from their grasp, and 
suffering the Imperial troops to escape from Bohemia, 
and to follow in the wake of the Elector, who, with an 
army of 9,000 men, was encamped at Mlihlberg on the 
Elbe ; fearing no evil, and deeming the burning of the 
Elbe bridge a sufficient security against surprises. 

But the burning of bridges was of little use, when 
treachery guided the enemy to a ford, which made a 



THE WIDOW. 253 



bridge unnecessary. The name of the miller Strauch 
is for all time branded with infamy. Out of revenge 
for the loss of his horses, which the Saxon troopers had 
carried off, he betrayed his sovereign and his country. 

It was a still, peaceful morning,^ on the Sunday 
Quasimodo geniti, April 24th, 1547. The good elec- 
tor was sitting in church, devoutly listening to the 
preaching of the Gospel, when suddenly the noise of a 
wild tumult broke in upon his devotions. It was the 
enemy ! 

The soldiers ran hither and thither, in utter confu- 
sion. The officers' commands were unheeded ; they 
all fled wildly toward the heath of Lochau. The elec- 
tor succeeded in rallying a few of the panic-stricken 
cavalry regiments, to cover their retreat. But no valor 
was able to withstand the enemy's superior forces. 
The Saxon army was cut to pieces and scattered ; and 
the Elector, heroically defending himself, was disabled 
by a sabre-cut in his face. A look of despair came 
into his eyes, as he surrendered. 

Suddenly a loud thunder-clap was heard, startling 
all by its unseasonable and unexpected occurrence. 
But into the Elector's face there came a new light, 
and with a loud voice he exclaimed : " Yes, Thou 
mighty God, Thou makest Thyself to be heard. Thou 
still livest and doest all things well." 



254 KA THARINE VON BORA ; 

Dragged by the Hungarian horsemen into the Em- 
peror's presence, he was received with a look of min- 
gled joy, anger and contempt. The Elector John 
Frederick Saxony was a prisoner in the hands of the 
man who had threatened to destroy Protestantism,root 
and branch ; and his electorate was irretrievably lost 
to him and his race. 

Wittenberg was in dire confusion. The Emperor 
was coming, preceded by the rumor that the city of 
the arch-heretic was to be made to feel the full weight 
of his displeasure ; and was to disappear from the face 
of the earth, as unworthy of being shone upon by the 
sun. 

The citizens, and among them the widow of the 
" arch-heretic,' ' prepared to fly. In December of the 
past year she had been obliged to seek an asylum in 
Magdeburg, when Duke Moritz advanced upon Wit- 
tenberg, and besieged the citadel. But the Elector 
had hastened to the relief of the city, and recalled the 
fugitives. Now she must once more bid farewell to her 
home, — perhaps never to return, for between the Elec- 
tor's captivity and the Emperor's threat, Wittenberg 
had small hope of escaping. 

Their flight was attended with many hindrances 
and difficulties. In the general disorder, each one 



THE WIDOW. 255 



was concerned only for his own safety.- After much per- 
suasion, a teamster was found willing to give the wid- 
ow and her children a place upon his cart. 

He drove in mad haste over the rough roads, bela- 
boring the poor animals with furious blows, and urging 
them forward, as though the enemy were already at his 
heels. For hours the wild chase lasted, and night was 
at hand. The road was uphill, rough and stony ; and 
suddenly the exhausted horses refused to proceed. The 
teamster, beside himself with rage and fear, forced them 
on with more blows, when one of the horses, uttering 
a short, piteous cry, dropped dead. Then he fell to 
berating the poor beasts, the Emperor, and finally his 
passengers, whose weight, he asserted, had overtaxed 
the horses' strength. 

Without a word, Katharine and her children climbed 
down from the cart, and the teamster went on his 
way. 

The widow stood under the open sky ; beside her a 
large chest, containing her most necessary possessions. 
No* a human being was to be seen near and far. The 
sky was hung with heavy clouds, and a soft rain was 
beginning to fall. It was impossible to spend the 
night in the open air. 

For a moment Katharine hesitated ; then she beck- 
oned to her sons. They broke open the chest ; she 



25 6 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

gave to each one as much as he could carry, and com- 
forting the frightened children, she said : "Let us go 
in God's name ! We are everywhere in His keeping; 
He will not forsake us ! ; ' 

They walked rapidly, and half an hour later, a light 
shining through the darkness, showed them the way to 
the habitations of men. They soon reached a village, 
and the first door at which they knocked, was hospita- 
bly opened to receive them. 

"Good Heavens, Mistress Luther, is it you?" ex- 
claimed a voice from a corner of the dimly-lighted 
room, as they entered. 

"Master Philip," cried Katharine and the children, 
equally surprised. It was Philip Melanchthon, her 
husband's dearest friend, whom a similar accident, — 
his wagon having been overturned in a ditch — had 
driven to seek shelter in the village. 

The kind peasants, to whom these exclamations be- 
trayed the identity of their guests, could not sufficient- 
ly express their reverent affection. The contents of 
the larder were produced for their refreshment. The 
beds of the family, in spite of all their protestations, 
were given up to the strangers, and on the following 
morning, before sunrise, the peasant was at the door, 
with his own cart, prepared to carry them to their 
journey's end. 



THE WIDOW. 257 



"The Lord's chancery/ ' said Melanchthon, as they 
entered Magdeburg, through the gloomy gate of the 
fortress. "Your dear husband often gave the city 
that name. Who would then have thought, that we 
should one day come hither, to seek safety from 
persecution. But I thank God, that in these troublous 
times, he has provided for us a place of refuge.' ' 

Katharine found in Magdeburg a number of her 
friends and acquaintances from Wittenberg, among 
others the professor of theology, George Major, a 
dear friend of her departed husband. It was to him 
she now chiefly looked for protection, as Melanch- 
thon, having upon his hands the care of many other 
fugitives, was very much engaged. 

Here too, the people, for Luther's sake, received 
his wife and children with open arms. A Senator, in 
whose house they lodged, made every effort to keep his 
guests with him permanently. With touching kindness, 
he and his wife urged Katharine to regard their roomy 
house as the home of herself and her children ; and, 
not knowing whether she would ever be able to re- 
turn to Wittenberg, she finally yielded to their plead- 
ing. But she had scarcely consented, when the dread- 
ful tidings were brought them, that the Emperor threat- 
ened to put the city under the ban of the Empire, for 
harboring the Wittenberg fugitives ; and the hearts, 
17 - 



258 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

which had bounded with renewed hopefulness, sank 
back again into deeper gloom. 

Katharine passed the night in sleepless anxiety, 
struggling for light. Whither should she go ? Was 
there not, in God's wide world, a spot where the wid- 
ow of the German Reformer might lay her head ? 

Early in the morning, she sought Professor Major, 
whom she found in deep dejection. 

"My dear Professor,'' said Katharine, offering her 
hand, " it is clear, that we cannot continue in Magde- 
burg. A plan came to me during the night, and I 
would ask your assistance in carrying it out." 

"Alas, yes," Major interrupted; "we must leave 
this hospitable place, and our kind friends. ' ' 

"Hear me," continued Katharine. "We will 
never find peace within the territories of the Emperor 
Charles. His threats will ever follow at our heels. 
Therefore, I think it were best for us, to go whither 
his arm cannot reach us." 

" What do you mean, Mistress Luther ? " asked the 
professor, with wide-open, startled eyes. 

"It is a long distance which I propose to travel," 
said Katharine; "but I do not shrink from it, and 
the end will reward our labor. I desire to go to Den- 
mark, where under the rule of King Christian the 
gospel is preached without hindrance. I will go to 



THE WIDOW. 259 



the champion of the Protestant Confession. He has 
kept faith with Dr. Martin, and I feel sure that he will 
take pity on his widow." 

The professor listened, with growing astonishment, 
and when she had finished, said : " I approve of your 
plan, dear Mistress Luther, and wish you a happy 
journey." 

With a somewhat embarrassed smile, Katharine 
looked at him. "But I have a request to add, — a 
helpless woman cannot alone undertake so arduous a 
journey, and I would pray you to make this further 
sacrifice, and accompany me." 

For a moment the professor hesitated, then cheer- 
fully replied : "It shall be as you wish, dear Mistress 
Luther." 

On the following morning a wagon, covered with 
sail-cloth, stood at the Senator's door, to carry away 
his guests. 

The journey proceeded safely, until they reached 
Brunswick. Here they were detained by the friendli- 
ness and solicitude of the Senate of the city, who 
endeavored to dissuade Katharine from her purpose, 
and to comfort her with the hope of better times. 
But she was resolved, and merely urged to greater 
haste. From Brunswick they travelled in a hired 
wagon. On the way they encountered frequent troops 



260 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

of lansquenets, and the professor's face grew serious, 
when he observed the imperial colors. Katharine was 
alarmed, and begged the driver to hurry toward the 
village of Gifhorn, visible in the distance. But as 
they neared the village, the troops became more nu- 
merous, and the place itself was thronged with sol- 
diers and camp-followers, so that the travellers were 
scarcely able to advance. It was still more difficult 
to find a lodging, in spite of the professor's untiring 
efforts. The end of their journey, which had seemed 
so near, was lost in the distance, — vague and unat- 
tainable. After a bitter struggle, Katharine abandoned 
her cherished hope, and on the evening of this day 
said to her protector: "I cannot endure that you 
should have so much toil and trouble in my behalf. 
Let us turn back ; it is too dangerous, and I fear that 
it will be impossible to reach Denmark. " 

Professor Major nodded sadly ; a I do it willingly, 
for God's sake, yet I think it is His will, that we turn 
back." 

And so they did, the next morning, not knowing 
whither to go. 

Toward noon they halted at an inn, to buy food. 
In the guest's room sat an elderly man, with a piece 
of bread and cheese before him. From his appear- 
ance, they recognized him as a travelling merchant. 



THE WIDOW. 261 



After the customary greetings, it was discovered that 
he came from Torgau, and was able to give them 
tidings of Wittenberg. 

"The city fared better than any dared hope," he 
related, " after the reports which preceded the Em- 
peror, that the ' hotbed of heresy ' would be made to 
feel the full measure of his vengeance. But he dealt 
with it in a merciful and truly royal manner. He had 
been a traitor, had he done otherwise ; for a promise 
must needs be kept, especially an Emperor's promise.' ' 

"What do you mean?" asked the professor. 

" Are you perhaps acquainted with Lucas Kranach, 
the Elector's court-painter?" continued the other. 

" How should we not know him?" exclaimed both 
his hearers. 

"It was he who saved the city. He went to the 
Imperial headquarters, and forcing his way past the 
guards, walked boldly to the Emperor's tent. Then 
in all humility, yet confidently, he reminded his Ma- 
jesty of a promise, he had once made to the painter. 
I cannot tell, what it was, but the result was, that the 
Emperor dealt beyond expectation gently with the city 
of Wittenberg." 

"I understand," cried the professor. "Kranach 
once related to me, how, many years ago, he had met 
the present Emperor Charles V., when he was still a 



262 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

boy. If I am not mistaken, Kranach was sent by the 
Elector Frederick the Wise as ambassador to Mechlin 
in the Low Countries, where the Emperor Maximilian 
was at that time holding his court. On this occasion, 
the Emperor caused his portrait to be painted by the 
distinguished artist ; and the young Prince Charles, 
already destined to wear the Imperial Crown of Ger- 
many, also desired to sit for his picture. He made 
many promises to Master Kranach, that he would be 
patient and sit still. But the unruly boy gave the ar- 
tist much trouble by his restlessness. Yet the portrait 
succeeded admirably, and in his childish delight, 
pressing Kranach' s hands, the prince said to him: 
1 Master Lucas, when I am a sovereign like my uncle, 
and you have a favor to ask of me, it shall be granted. 
Here is my hand upon it ! p And now, it seems, after 
so many years, he was able to claim his promise of 
the Emperor. Kranach is a noble man, — for himself 
he asks nothing, only for others. Herein he resem- 
bles him, who counted him among his friends, — the 
blessed Dr. Martin !" 

Deeply moved, the merchant dried his eyes. " Yes, 
he is truly a great and noble man, who thus forgets 
himself. I have been further told, that the Emperor 
received him very graciously, and made him the most 
brilliant offers, if he would enter the imperial service 



THE WIDOW. 263 



as court-painter. But Kranach gratefully declined his 
proposals, requesting instead, that his Majesty deal 
generously with his captive sovereign, John Frederick 
of Saxony, as befitted the victor. Kranach said that 
as he had received many kindnesses and benefits from 
his gracious master, he therefore would fain show his 
gratitude, and do what in him lay to ease the prison- 
er's hard lot." 

Katharine listened with brimming eyes ; the pro- 
fessor was deeply touched, and a long silence followed 
the merchant's tale. Then Katharine, turning to him, 
said : " The city was indeed spared ; but a further care 
presses upon me. I would know the fate of, — " She 
did not finish the sentence, — her eyes anxiously ques- 
tioned the merchant's face. 

"Be comforted, dear Mistress Luther/' he replied. 
" The Duke of Alva, with his face of parchment and 
his heart of stone, vehemently urged the Emperor, to 
have the e arch-heretic's ' ashes scattered to the winds. 
But his Majesty angrily replied : ' I make war upon 
the living, not upon the dead.' He even forbade his 
soldiers to disturb the Lutheran worship. Bugen- 
hagen preached the gospel unhindered, in the presence 
of many Spanish soldiers ; and one day he even ob- 
served the Emperor himself among his hearers." 

Katharine breathed a sigh of relief, and warmly 



264 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

thanked the bearer of such good tidings. 

Three days later, a woman with her four children 
knelt at Luther's grave in the Castle-church at Wit- 
tenberg, and with many tears, gave thanks that this 
sacred spot remained undesecrated. It was her first 
errand, — afterwards she returned to her home in the 
Augustinian convent. 

A dreary sight here met her eyes. The Emperor's 
orders had not extended to Luther's dwelling, and the 
spot where the " arch-heretic ' ' had lived, became the 
scene of savage destruction, and of the brutal revenge 
of the Spanish soldiery. The household furniture 
was broken, the cellars robbed of their contents, and 
the walls soiled with foul doggerel. The children 
lamented, but Katharine, silently, went about to estab- 
lish a new home upon the ruins of the old. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

MORE TROUBLE. 

Great courage and a high degree of trust in God 
were needed, to face the future. The ruined house 
might have been repaired, but whichever way the 
widow turned, she saw only desolation. 

"Lord, how long I" sighed the poor woman; but 
the answer was : Thine hour is not yet come ; thou 
shalt enter still further into the dark valley, but my 
rod and my staff shall comfort thee. 

The war had laid waste a large district. The bur- 
dens lay heavily upon the drained and ravaged land. 
Wearily the peasant ploughed his fields, knowing that 
others would reap the fruit of his toil. With sorrow, 
Katharine's thoughts reverted to her beloved Zulsdorf, 
and the fond hopes she had cherished there. But her 
dear husband had found another resting-place. She 
had not been permitted, in the peaceful quiet of Zuls- 
dorf, to comfort his declining years with her loving 
care. And now, in her widowhood, the care of her chil- 
dren's education made a residence there impossible. 
She had resigned this wish, but hoped to find in her 

(265) 



266 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

farm a means of support. In consequence of the war, 
however, the land had become worthless, and what the 
horses 7 hoofs had spared, was claimed by the sovereign 
for the expenses of the war. Instead of receiving 
from Zulsdorf, she was obliged to give. And Wachs- 
dorf ! She repented bitterly of having urged the pur- 
chase of the second estate. The Chancellor Bruck, 
had been right in opposing her ! 

Again, Melanchthon proved himself a trusty friend 
and adviser. He petitioned the Elector Moritz to 
remit her share of the war-taxes, and even accompa- 
nied her to Leipsic, to the imperial headquarters, to 
make her request in person ; but all was of no avail. 

On all sides, Katharine saw only broken supports. 
The capital secured for her in Mansfeld yielded no 
interest ; the war had impoverished her friends there, 
and robbed them of the means of keeping their prom- 
ise. In Torgau, another sat upon the electoral throne, 
— a new king had arisen over Egypt, which knew 
not Joseph; John Frederick, the kind, generous 
prince, in whom she had placed her hopes, lay in 
chains, and the Emperor held the pen, which was to 
sign his death-warrant. 

One hope was left, — the king of the Danes, who 
had on a former occasion proved a friend in need. 
The widow had been prevented from placing her- 



THE WIDOW. 267 



self personally under his protection, but the ever- 
ready Melanchthon offered to make an appeal in her 
behalf to the royal heart. In his petition he pictured 
in moving words the condition of Luther's widow. 
Then she waited and hoped, seeing in every stranger 
that came to her door a possible messenger from the 
king. But she waited in vain. Had the letter mis- 
carried ? or was the king's heart hardened ? 

Cruel want knocked at Katharine's door, whither 
in former times so many had come, seeking and find- 
ing help and comfort. The world is forgetful, and 
returns benefactions with ingratitude. Katharine had 
faithful friends, but they, too, were poor. 

Bugenhagen learned to his surprise, that the King 
of Denmark had made no reply to Melanchthon' s 
petition, and, without telling the widow of his pur- 
pose, he again pleaded her cause. But he too hoped 
and waited for that which never came. 

In the meantime, Katharine made a last effort. 
John, her eldest son, was wasting his time at home, 
forgetting all that he had learned. By selling the 
greater part of her remaining trinkets and silverware, 
she succeeded in raising a few hundred florins. With 
this money, she repaired the one wing of her house, 
and took lodgers. God in his goodness directed the 
hearts of some of these, to have compassion with the 



268 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

widow, and to pay her above what she asked. 

One day she led John into her chamber, and fall- 
ing upon her knees, committed her son to the Lord's 
keeping. 

Early the next morning, the youth set out upon his 
journey. His mother had filled his knapsack with 
provisions, and had given him a few of her hard- 
earned gold-pieces upon the way. Thus supplied, he 
walked to Konigsberg, where he entered his name as 
a student of the University. 

His mother's blessing followed him, and gave him 
strength and courage for his work. And her prayer, 
that the hearts of men might turn in kindness to her 
son, found a gracious hearing. John entered the ser- 
vice of the Saxon, and afterwards of the Prussian 
government, and lived to do credit to his father's 
name. 

Katharine was relieved of one pressing care. John's 
letters from Konigsberg brought good and cheering 
news. The other children also gave her much pleas- 
ure, and it seemed as though a brighter day were 
about to dawn. 

But a fresh trial awaited her : the busy, never-rest- 
ing hands were forced to be idle, — a slow fever threw 
her upon a bed of sickness. The physician was puz- 
zled, — he thought the disorder was of the mind, rather 



THE WIDOW. 269 



than of the body. It became necessary to procure a 
servant, if the lodgers were to be retained. A maid- 
servant was hired, to wait upon her, but the discovery 
of her hypocrisy and dishonesty, added new misery to 
Katharine's sufferings. 

Then followed days, in which she and her children 
experienced the bitter pangs of hunger. The friends 
indeed remained, — Melanchthon, Bugenhagen, Cru- 
ciger stood by her with unchanging devotion. But 
she shrank from burdening with her troubles those who 
had already done so much. Piece by piece, her small 
store of silver wandered to the silversmith, painful as 
it was, to part with these witnesses of her former hap- 
piness. 

But more urgent grew her need, — more hopeless the 
outlook into the future.' 

One day, the widow seated herself at the writing- 
table. Since the representations of Melanchthon and 
Bugenhagen had failed to move the Danish king, she 
resolved herself to make a last appeal, trusting that 
her own words, coming from her troubled heart, might 
prove effective. Writing was an unwonted occupa- 
tion, her eyes were dim with tears, and slowly letter 
was added to letter. After two hours of painful labor, 
the petition was finished. 

"The grace of God through His only Son, Jesus 



2 70 KA THARINE VON B OR A ; 

Christ, our Saviour, to the most gracious and powerful 
lord and king ! 

"I humbly pray your Majesty, favorably to regard 
this my petition, for the reason that I am a widow, 
and that my dear husband, Dr, Martin Luther, of 
blessed memory, faithfully served the Christian relig- 
ion, and enjoyed the special favor of your Majesty. 
During the latter part of my dear husband's life, your 
Majesty kindly granted him a pension of fifty ducats, 
wherefore I thank your Majesty, and pray to God in 
your behalf. And, inasmuch as I and my children 
have no support, and these troublous times cause us 
much distress, I would petition your Majesty, gra- 
ciously to continue this assistance ; for I am sure that 
your Majesty has not forgotten the great and toilsome 
labors of my dear husband. Your Majesty is the only 
king upon this earth, to whom poor Christians may 
fly for refuge, and because of the benefactions accor- 
ded by your Majesty to Christian pastors, their widows 
and orphans, God will doubtless grant you especial 
gifts and blessings, for which I shall earnestly and 
faithfully pray. May the Almighty God mercifully 
protect your Majesty, and all your house. 
" Your Majesty's humble servant, 

"Katharine, 
"Widow of Dr. Martin Luther. 

" Wittenberg, on the 13th of October, A. D. 1550" 



THE WIDOW, 271 



" They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy," whis- 
pered Katharine, as she folded the letter. 

Yes, truly, thus is it written in His Word, which 
cannot fail. But it is also written : " My time is not 
yet come," and again, "Be patient in tribulation/ ' 
and "Wait upon the Lord." 

Again, the petition was in vain. Months passed, 
but they brought no reply* 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

GLIMPSES OF SUNSHINE. 

If there is consolation in having companions in mis- 
ery, then Luther's widow might indeed deem herself 
consoled. 

The Elector John Frederick of Saxony, outlawed 
and dispossessed of his throne, was still a prisoner in 
the Emperor's hands. Although absent from his sub- 
jects, and no longer their master, he yet governed and 
influenced his people ; and from the captive prince a 
blessing went forth upon all who kept their faith with 
the Protestant confession. The example of his noble 
endurance, his heroism, and humble submission in- 
spired thousands, boldly to confess Christ ; while on 
the other hand the unfaithful and the hard of heart 
were made to feel the shame of their weakness and 
time-serving. 

Luther once said of his friend Hausman : " What we 
teach, he lives. ' ' Had Luther been alive, he might have 
applied this saying to the Elector also. A man, who 
has an electorate to sacrifice for his faith, doubtless 
finds it more difficult to follow Christ, than one who 
(272) 



THE WIDOW. 273 



had nothing to lose. And all the more glorious does 
such an one stand before the world. John Frederick 
appears as a mighty one in Israel, when we consider his 
heroic calmness, his childlike submission. There was 
no hesitation, no halting on both sides ; his heart was 
rooted in God's grace, and whether the Emperor sought 
to tempt him with fair promises, or threatened him 
with a fearful doom, he never swerved from the faith. 
His death-sentence was announced to him, while he 
sat at a game of chess. He calmly finished the 
game and then said : " I thought your Imperial Majes- 
ty would have dealt more mercifully with me ; but if it 
cannot be otherwise, I beg that the day of my death 
be made known to me beforehand. There are matters 
which I wish to arrange with my wife and children/ ' 
Death has no terrors for him, — his glance says : " To 
me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." 

The Emperor's awakened conscience caused him to 
revoke the sentence of death, and he promised the 
Elector liberty and ample indemnification for the ig- 
nominy endured, if he would but acknowledge the 
" Interim' ' of Augsburg, that masterpiece of Romish 
craft and deception which, under the guise of yielding 
to the demands of the Reformation, tore the heart out 
of Protestantism. He believed himself sure of his game, 
not deeming it possible that a man should withstand 
18 



2 74 KA THARINE VON BORA ; 

such a temptation, and sacrifice his throne, his honor, 
and his liberty to the Word of God ; he himself being 
quite incapable of such an act. Yet he was impress- 
ed, and a flush of shame rose to his face, when he 
heard the Elector's answer : 

" I stand as a poor prisoner before your majesty. I 
do not deny that I have confessed the truth, and for its 
sake have lost all that I possessed, — my wife and chil- 
dren, my land and my people, — in short, all that God 
gave and lent me in this world. I have nothing to 
call my own, save this poor, captive body, — even it 
is not in my own power, but in that of your majesty. 
And standing thus despoiled before the world, I am 
bidden also to renounce my heavenly inheritance by 
a recantation, from which may God preserve me. 
For herein have I placed my highest hopes ; and I 
know, that although for its sake I must yield up 
life, yet will God give me a better possession here- 
after. It would ill befit me, by an in : quitous re- 
cantation, to mislead so many thousands. Therefore, 
most gracious Emperor, having me in your power, 
your Majesty may deal with me as with a prisoner. I 
will abide by the truth I have confessed ; and, as an 
example to others, willingly suffer, whatsoever God 
and your Majesty shall lay upon me." 

The Emperor averted his face at these words. The 



THE WIDOW. 275 



positions were reversed ; the judge stood condemned by 
his prisoner, and here found himself face to face with 
a power, which yields to no earthly force. The Lord 
knocked at the heart of the Emperor Charles, but it 
refused to answer. Fresh indignities were heaped 
upon the unfortunate Elector. The Emperor was not 
ashamed to drag him in triumph through Germany, 
and even permitted the Spanish guards to exhibit him 
for money to the curious multitude. 

The prisoner's chief consolations were the Bible 
and Luther's writings, of which he often said, that 
they penetrated body and soul, and that when he 
compared other writings with those of Luther, he 
found in a single page from the latter, more strength, 
and spiritual nourishment, and consolation, than in a 
whole book by another. To strike his tenderest spot, 
the Emperor deprived him of these treasures. His 
Court-preacher, Master Christopher Hofman, who had 
been permitted to accompany him, and preach to him 
the pure word of God, came one day with tears to bid 
him farewell — at the Emperor's command. 

The Elector remained calm and undaunted. " Even 
though they have taken my books, yet they cannot 
tear from my heart the lessons I have learned from 
them; and even though you go, dear Hofman, the 
Lord will remain with me." 



276 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

When the Emperor found himself powerless to in- 
fluence the Elector, he endeavored to persuade his 
sons to accept the Interim. But they refused to act 
without their father's sanction. His message to them 
was, "if God's mercy and their father's love were 
dear to them, to abide steadfastly by his former an- 
swer and declaration ; and not to suffer themselves to 
be intimidated, or turned aside, even though the last 
remnant of their inheritance were taken from them, 
and still greater dangers threatened. The Almighty 
God would not forget them, but would graciously pro- 
tect and defend them." 

Great numbers of the Lutheran clergy, refusing to 
acknowledge the Interim, were driven into misery, — 
those of Augsburg with the rest. They refused to leave 
the city, without the blessing of the princely martyr, 
who just then happened to be in Augsburg. 

John Frederick was deeply moved by their words, 
and turned away to hide his tears ; but he speedily 
conquered himself, and addressing the men, asked : 
"And has the Emperor forbidden you the entrance to 
heaven ?' ' 

" No," was the answer. 

"Then, my friends," cried the Elector, "do not 
despair. Be of good cheer, — heaven is ours still ; 
and God will surely show you a place upon this earth, 



THE WIDOW. 277 



where you will be permitted to preach his word." 
He reached into his wallet. " Here is all that I pos- 
sess in the world. I wish to give you something on 
the way. Share it with your brethren. My God will 
provide for me further, I trust.' ' 

When his fellow-prisoner, the Duke Ernst of Bruns- 
wick-Luneberg, began to despair, John Frederick 
comforted him : " Do not distress yourself. Since we 
have been worsted in the struggle, let us arm ourselves 
with patience, and we shall overcome in the end. 
Let us show by our actions, that we despise misfor- 
tune, and thus shall we wrest the victory from our 
enemy's hand. This is the true manner of taking our 
revenge/ ' 

A second year of misery was added to the first ; 
the hope of deliverance grew ever fainter ; but John 
Frederick continued true to himself, — a hero in the 
warfare of faith. Like David of old, the God-fearing 
monarch, in the midst of his affliction, sounded his 
harp and a psalm rang forth from his prison, — a psalm, 
whose notes to this day appeal to each human heart, 
bringing strength, and peace, and consolation : 

" As God hath willed, so too will I, 1 
And naught my trust shall alter, 



1 Translated by Miss Mary Welden. 



278 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

In trial and perplexity. 
O, may I never falter. 

All things that be, 

God certainly 
For purpose wise is sending ; 

What He hath willed 

Must be fulfilled, 
To reach a blessed ending. 

" As God hath willed it must abide, 
Self-will would but mislead me : 
Forbidden joys I'll cast aside, 
And graciously He'll heed me. 
Howe'er it seem, 
I'll rest in Him ; 
His grace is with me surely; 
Howe'er it seem, 
I'll rest in Him, 
Whose purpose stands securely. 

" As God hath willed, I shall obey, 
In all to Him submitting, 
Who can His mighty Will gainsay ? 
He doth what is befitting. 
Wisdom, nor wit, 
Can alter it 
Nor sorest grief, nor passion ; 
My murmuring 
No change could bring, 
His hand my way doth fashion. 



THE WIDOW. 2 79 



" As God hath willed, so I will choose, 
His promises believing, 
Obedience never more refuse, 
But ever to Him cleaving, 
Cast off my fears : 
All days and years 
Are by His law designed. 
In this secure : 
His Word is sure, 
I'm to His laws resigned. 

" As God hath willed, unchanged shall stay, 
As well the birds might sorrow ! 
If hope forsake the home to-day, 
'Tis to return to-morrow. 
The gifts of God 
Are well bestowed ; 
And, if He seem unheeding, 
Still let me say, 
Most thankfully, 
Unto my good 'tis leading." 

Even as, long years ago, Luther's theses, as if borne 
on angel's wings, had flown through the length and 
breadth of Germany, thus it was with this song of 
the captive prince. In a wondrous manner, its 
strains over-leaped the prison-walls, ringing forth into 
the world, for thousands to hear. People sang it in 
the churches ; troubled and stricken souls, praying for 
guidance, found in it the help they sought ; and to 



280 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

the conscience of many an one who had fallen from 
the faith, it came as a messenger of justice from God. 

Luther's widow had fastened a copy of the hymn 
upon the wall opposite her bed; each morning, it 
greeted her as a voice from above, and each morning 
she thanked the Elector anew, who herewith gave her 
more, than he had ever given her in the days of his 
prosperity. 

Money and bread he no longer had to bestow, yet 
he remained her benefactor, who, until the day of her 
death, kept his promise to the widow. The stubborn 
and unbelieving human heart is so prone, in its trou- 
ble, to see no further than the present moment, and to 
regard its own affliction as exceeding all other. But 
when the cross bearer learns to look about him, and 
finds that some are still more heavily burdened, he takes 
heart, to bear his own trials with a meek and quiet 
spirit. It sometimes seemed to Katharine, as though 
her burden were heavier than she could bear, and the 
world's neglect of the widow of him who had been 
the benefactor of Christianity, appeared doubly 
shameful. But when she thought of her beloved sov- 
ereign, of his heroic endurance, his humble resigna- 
tion, her cross lost half its weight, and with a blush 
of shame, she asked forgiveness of God for her faint- 
heartedness. 



THE WIDOW. 281 



This was a glimmer of light in the night of her sor- 
row, and now at last, a star arose upon her horizon, 
bringing her a heavenly greeting. 

It was on New Year's Day in the year 1552. Kath- 
arine has just received the congratulations of her chil- 
dren, when Bugenhagen entered, and from the depths 
of his kind, faithful heart, spoke to the widow words 
of comfort and encouragement. 

When Katharine had expressed her own hearty 
good wishes for his welfare during the coming year, 
Bugenhagen continued : " I greatly wondered, for 
what cause the King of Denmark made no reply 
to our repeated petitions in your behalf, knowing as I 
do, his kind and merciful heart, and he having regu- 
larly transmitted to Melanchthon and myself our usual 
pension. Yesterday a young man came to me, who 
has travelled much, and was employed as Secretary at 
the Danish Court, whither he is shortly to return. 
When I expressed to him my surprise that the king had 
thus withdrawn his accustomed aid, he was much 
astonished, and could not otherwise explain the mat- 
ter, than that the letters must have miscarried ; for, 
as he said, the conversation one day turned upon the 
widow of Dr. Luther, when one of the royal officers 
said that no doubt she was in comfortable circumstan- 
ces, as she had not petitioned his majesty for a con- 



282 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

tinuance of the pension. Herefrom, dear Mistress 
Luther, you perceive that the king knows nothing of 
your need. I would therefore advise you to venture 
another letter, which I will entrust to the secretary, 
when he leaves, and I trust that it will not prove 
fruitless. ,, 

Katharine thanked her friend, and did as he ad- 
vised. When she learned that the young man pur- 
posed to set out upon his journey on the 9th of Janu- 
ary, she sat down and wrote : 

" Most gracious lord ! Accept my humble service 
and my feeble prayers to God in your majesty's 
behalf. 

Your majesty doubtless remembers, that my dear 
husband, of blessed memory, also Master Philip 
Melanchthon and Dr. Bugenhagen received annu- 
ally from your majesty a pension, toward the sup- 
port of their families; which has heretofore been 
regularly paid out to Dr. Pommer and Master Phil- 
ip. And inasmuch as my dear husband was well- 
inclined to your majesty, regarding you as a most 
Christian king, and as your majesty at all times greatly 
favored my .husband — for which I am humbly grate- 
ful — I feel myself constrained, by reason of my great 
need, to petition your majesty, hoping that you will 
pardon this request of a poor widow. I would pray, 



THE WIDOW. 283 



that this money be continued to me. Your majesty 
doubtless knows how, since my husband's death, war 
and trouble have visited our land ; how the poor have 
been oppressed, and how many have been made 
widows and orphans, so that one cannot but feel pity, 
all of which were too long to relate. For these and 
other reasons, I am forced to make this appeal, trust- 
ing that your majesty will kindly grant my petition, 
and receive the reward of the Almighty God, who is 
the friend of widows and orphans. Into the keeping 
of that same God, the Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, I commend your majesty, praying that He may 
grant you long life for the sake of His Church, and gra- 
ciously keep and preserve you from all danger to body 
or soul. Amen." 

"Your Majesty's humble servant, 

" Katharine Luther, 

"Dr. Martin's Widow. 
" On the 8th of January \ in the year fjjz" 

When Katharine gave the letter to Dr. Bugenhagen 
to read, he added these few words : " Father Luther's 
widow is in sore straits, and therefore petitions your 
majesty for relief, having, together with her neighbors, 
suffered great losses during the year." 

On the following day the secretary left, carrying the 



284 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

letter with him, which he delivered into the king's 
own hands. 

Once more, Katharine was obliged to take from the 
corner cupboard three silver cups, and to carry them 
to the silver-smith, but she went with a lighter heart, 
feeling that help was near. 

She was not deceived, for sooner than she dared to 
hope, on the 20th of March, a messenger from the 
King of Denmark brought her fifty ducats, with the 
king's greeting. 

Here was another glimpse of sunshine in the dreary 
life of her widowhood, and a renewed assurance that 
the God of our fathers still lived. His faithfulness and 
mercy had even better things in store for her, — his an- 
gel was already upon the way — bringing His message 
to the sufferer : " Blessed are they that mourn, for they 
shall be comforted." 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

RELEASE. 

The situation of Wittenberg was not a healthy one. 
The vapors arising from the broad flats of the Elbe 
were doubtless favorable to the growth of vegetation, 
— but scarcely to the health of human beings. The 
moat surrounding the walls, and half-filled with stag- 
nant water, contributed its share to the noisome odors 
which poisoned the air. Several times during Luth- 
er's lifetime the plague, beside other epidemics, ^had 
made fearful havoc among the citizens \ it returned 
again in the summer of 1552, and raged with renewed 
fury. 

The angel of death was followed as usual, by his 
most powerful ally, — fear. Men had learned no les- 
sons from experience, or they would have remembered 
that a calm temper is the most effective safe-guard 
against the pestilence; and again, death reaped an 
abundant harvest. In the universal distress, charity 
was dead, and selfishness stood revealed in its most 
hideous form. Children forsook their dying parents ; 
the gravediggers left the neglected corpses lying by 

(28s) 



286 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

the wayside : superstition, with its senseless remedies 
helped many an one to his death, while others with 
fiendish malice carried the seeds of the pestilence into 
uninfected houses. 

Many of the citizens sought safety in flight. The 
University was closed at the Elector's command, pro- 
fessors and students repairing to Torgau. 

Katharine had learned from her husband, calmly to 
commit herself to the Lord's care, and to help, wher- 
ever she was able. The opportunity was thus given 
her, of heaping coals of fire upon the heads of many, 
who had closed their hearts to her in the time of her 
need. 

For five weeks the plague had raged in Wittenberg, 
still sparing Katharine's household. Then one of her 
lodgers was stricken down, and died. She had no 
fear, at least not for herself, — for her desire was, to 
depart and be with Christ, and with her beloved hus- 
band. Yet she was concerned for her children's sake, 
and finally resolved to leave Wittenberg, and go to 
Torgau. 

As usual, she lost no time in carrying out her deci- 
sion. A few days later, a large, canvas-covered wagon 
held at the door of the Luther-house, to carry away 
the widow and her children with their most necessary 
belongings. 



THE WIDOW. 287 



Katharine's eyes rested sadly upon the spot, where 
she had enjoyed so much happiness during her hus- 
band's life, and had experienced so much affliction 
since his death. The human heart is bound with a 
thousand cords to its earthly home ; and not only the 
joys of the past, but its sorrows also, exercise a mag- 
netic power, which makes parting a bitter trial. 

Katharine was very sad. Hot tears gushed from her 
eyes, and she stood hesitating at the open gate, until 
the horses grew impatient and the driver urged her to 
make haste. 

Their road led them through the Elster-gate, and 
past the garden, whose dense shrubbery recalled so 
many pleasant hours. Further on, at a little distance 
from the road, rose the summer-house beside the foun- 
tain, where her husband was wont to receive his 
friends, and where they spent many hours together in 
earnest labor or in cheerful talk. It seemed to her 
like taking leave of her life, as one by one, the 
scenes of her departed happiness vanished from her 
sight. 

She sat lost in melancholy revery, and the children, 
divining her thoughts, feared to disturb her, or to re- 
lieve the heaviness of their own hearts. Only the 
driver was insensible to their grief, and swore lustily 
at his horses, who refused to settle to a quiet pace. 



288 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

Katharine roused herself at last, and saw to her dis- 
may that the horses were being controlled with diffi- 
culty. As they passed through the outskirts of a vil- 
lage, a dog ran out and barked at them. This so ex- 
cited the frightened animals that they became entirely 
unmanageable. They plunged and dashed furiously 
down the road. 

Katharine was in deadly fear. Scarcely conscious 
of herself, she suddenly rose from her seat, and sprang 
from the wagon. She could not have chosen a more 
unfavorable spot, for by the roadside ran a stream of 
water, with steep banks. In alighting, she struck 
against a stone and slipped into the water. With the 
help of a peasant who hurried to their assistance, the 
driver succeeded in quieting the horses ; Katharine, 
wet to the skin, and stunned by her fall, was unable 
to rise ; she was lifted into the wagon, and covered 
with warm wraps. 

Two hours later they reached Torgau. Lodgings 
had been taken for them in a house near the convent 
church. The landlord, Kasper Grunewald by name, 
and a worthy man, had been a friend of Luther's. 
As the Saviour said of Mary Magdalene, it might be 
said of him : He hath done what he could. It 
seemed like paying a debt of love to his departed 
friend, when he could shelter the widow in his house ; 



THE WIDOW. 289 



and he vied with her children in giving her the ten- 
derest care. 

Katharine was at once put to bed ; — the fright and 
the chill had made her very weak, and brought on a 
high fever. 

The physician who was called in, shook his head, 
and did all that his skill suggested, to revive the sink- 
ing forces. It seemed as though all were concerned 
in repairing the world's neglect of the widow of the 
great man. 

She appreciated their efforts. Her lips overflowed 
with gratitude, and when her growing weakness de- 
prived her of the power of speech, her eyes and the 
mute pressure of her hand conveyed her thanks. 

The loveliest roses bloomed upon her cheeks ; and 
her skin was lily-white and transparently pure. She 
did not seem ill, and never in her life had she been 
fairer. A strange light shone in her eyes, and her 
manner was so gentle and tender, that those who en- 
tered her presence, seemed to feel a breath from the 
other world. Her thoughts were in Heaven, more 
than upon the earth. She often spoke of her husband, 
not only in her waking moments, but also in her 
dreams ; and sometimes she spoke to him, as though 
he were actually present. 

Winter came, with its snow-flakes and its ice-flow- 
*9 



290 KATHARINE VON BORA; 

ers, with its long nights, and the holy calm of the 
Advent Season. " Come, Thou Saviour of the Gen- 
tiles/ ' — they sang in the churches; and in the street, 
under the sick woman's window, the choir-boys re- 
peated the sacred strains. 

She listened to the sweet, joyous tones ; her cheeks 
flushed, her eyes glowed, and she softly sang, " Come, 
Thou Saviour of the Gen tiles,' ' Then she folded her 
hands, and inspired with sudden strength, she prayed : 
"Lord, my Saviour, Thou standest at the door, and 
wouldst enter in. O come, Thou beloved guest, 
whom my soul awaits with longing. For I desire to 
depart and to be with Thee. Grant me a peaceful 
end, and a blessed departure from this valley of tears. 
Let my poor children be committed to Thy mercy, — 
that none of them be lost, but that all may one day 
appear before Thy throne, and unite with us in prais- 
ing Thy glorious Name. And, Lord, look down in 
mercy upon Thy Church, which the pope and other 
ungodly men would fain rend in pieces, extinguishing 
the light of the Gospel truth which, by Thy servant, 
the blessed Dr. Martin, Thou didst kindle in our Ger- 
man land. Have mercy upon all, who for the Gos- 
pel's sake suffer shame and persecution, and give them 
strength, boldly to confess their faith, that Thy Name 
may through them be glorified. I give Thee thanks, 



THE WIDOW. 291 



that Thou didst regard the misery of our beloved 
Elector, and didst turn his captivity, that men may 
see how Thou dost bring to honor those who have 
suffered for Thy Name's sake. Grant him a calm and 
peaceful old age, and finally take him home to Thee. 
Dear Lord, I thank Thee for all the trials, through 
which Thou didst lead me, and by which Thou didst 
prepare me to behold Thy Glory. Thou hast never 
forsaken nor forgotten me ; Thou hast evermore caused 
Thou face to shine upon me, when I called upon 
Thee. Behold, now I grasp Thy hand and say, as 
Jacob of old : Lord, I will not let Thee go, unless 
Thou bless me ! I will cling to my Lord Jesus 
forevermore. Amen. Help me, dear Lord God. 
Amen." 

She had spoken in a low tone, pausing frequently. 
Now she lay exhausted. Her hands were clasped; 
her eyes turned upward, as though she were watching 
for the coming of the Lord. 

Those around her prayed softly. 

The hours passed ; night came. They lighted the 
lamp, and kindled a fresh fire in the stove, for it was 
a bitter cold day, the 20th of December, in the year 
ISS2. 

As it struck nine, the mother turned to her chil- 



292 KATHARINE VON BORA. 

dren, whose faces had grown wan and pinched with 
watching and anxiety. " Had you not better lie 
down and sleep, my dear children ?' ' she whispered. 
" I too am tired.' ' 

Then, assisted by Gretchen, she turned to the wall, 
closed her eyes and breathed quietly. 

The children sat in silence by her bedside, watch- 
ing their mother's sleep, and fondly hoping that it 
might be the sleep of returning health. About an 
hour passed thus. 

Then Margaret rose, and softly creeping to the bed, 
she leaned over her mother. She listened — all was 
still : The patient sufferer was at home with her God. 

THE END. 



Deacidified using the Bookkeeper proC' 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: April 2005 



